CVE-2012-6719 in sharebar Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The sharebar plugin before 1.2.2 for WordPress has SQL injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2023
The sharebar plugin for WordPress represents a critical security vulnerability that affected versions prior to 1.2.2, exposing millions of WordPress installations to potential exploitation through SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's handling of user input parameters, specifically in how it processes data submitted through the sharebar functionality. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL code into database queries, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the WordPress database. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input sanitization and parameterized query implementation, which are fundamental security practices that should be enforced in all database interactions.
The technical exploitation of this SQL injection vulnerability occurs when the sharebar plugin fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL queries. Attackers can manipulate input fields or parameters that the plugin uses to construct database queries, potentially executing malicious SQL commands that can retrieve, modify, or delete database records. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a high-risk vulnerability by the CWE database due to its potential for data breach and system compromise. The attack vector typically involves sending specially crafted requests to the vulnerable plugin endpoint, where the malicious SQL code is executed with the privileges of the database user account used by WordPress.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to escalate their privileges within the WordPress environment. Successful exploitation could allow threat actors to gain access to user credentials, administrative panels, and sensitive content management data. The vulnerability affects not just the immediate WordPress installation but can potentially provide a foothold for further attacks within the broader network infrastructure. Organizations running vulnerable versions of the sharebar plugin face significant risk of data breaches, as SQL injection attacks can be used to extract complete database contents including user accounts, posts, and configuration settings. The attack surface is particularly concerning because WordPress plugins are frequently used and often have broad access to system resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to upgrade to the patched version 1.2.2 or later, as this represents the most direct solution to address the underlying SQL injection flaw. System administrators should also implement proper input validation and parameterized queries in all plugin code to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. The remediation process should include thorough security auditing of all installed plugins, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components. Additional defensive measures such as web application firewalls, database query monitoring, and regular security assessments can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol, where attackers use SQL injection as a method for executing malicious code and accessing sensitive data. Organizations should also consider implementing database access controls and privilege separation to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.