CVE-2012-5327 in Mingle-forum
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in fs-admin/fs-admin.php in the Mingle Forum plugin 1.0.32.1 and other versions before 1.0.33 for WordPress allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) delete_usrgrp[] parameter in a delete_usergroups action, (2) usergroup parameter in an add_user_togroup action, or (3) add_forum_group_id parameter in an add_forum_submit action.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2019
The CVE-2012-5327 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Mingle Forum plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.0.33. This vulnerability resides in the fs-admin/fs-admin.php file and demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and sanitization in web applications. The flaw allows authenticated attackers to manipulate database queries through carefully crafted parameters, potentially leading to complete database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication to the WordPress system, meaning that attackers who have gained access to legitimate user credentials can exploit this weakness without requiring additional privileges or complex attack vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling within three distinct attack vectors within the plugin's administrative interface. The first vector involves the delete_usrgrp[] parameter during delete_usergroups actions, where user-supplied array values are directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate sanitization. The second vector targets the usergroup parameter in add_user_togroup actions, while the third involves the add_forum_group_id parameter in add_forum_submit actions. All three scenarios demonstrate the same fundamental flaw of concatenating user input directly into database queries, violating core security principles established in CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities. These attack vectors operate through the standard SQL injection methodology where malicious input characters such as single quotes, semicolons, or comment markers are used to alter the intended query structure and execute arbitrary database commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as authenticated attackers can leverage these SQL injection points to escalate privileges, modify user permissions, or even gain shell access to the underlying system through database exploitation. The Mingle Forum plugin's administrative interface provides access to critical user management functions, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for WordPress installations that rely on forum functionality. Attackers could potentially delete user groups, add themselves to privileged groups, or extract sensitive information including user credentials, private messages, and forum configurations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts as a means of accessing systems, since the attack requires only legitimate user credentials to exploit the flaw. The impact is particularly severe in multi-user environments where forum administrators have elevated privileges and where the plugin is widely used across multiple WordPress installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5327 should prioritize immediate patching of the Mingle Forum plugin to version 1.0.33 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures including parameterized queries, proper escaping of special characters, and thorough validation of all user-supplied inputs before processing. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be deployed to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns in real-time traffic. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual administrative activities and unauthorized access attempts to forum management interfaces. Additionally, privileged account protection measures should be implemented including multi-factor authentication, regular credential rotation, and principle of least privilege enforcement to minimize the potential impact if an attacker does manage to exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security auditing of all installed WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure that proper input validation practices are implemented across the entire WordPress ecosystem.