CVE-2014-100022 in mTouch Quiz
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in question.php in the mTouch Quiz before 3.0.7 for WordPress allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the quiz parameter to wp-admin/edit.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-100022 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the mTouch Quiz plugin for WordPress systems. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 3.0.7 and resides in the question.php file which is accessed through the wp-admin/edit.php endpoint. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands through the quiz parameter, potentially compromising the entire wordpress installation and underlying database infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic input validation failure where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into sql queries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the quiz parameter in the wp-admin/edit.php request to inject malicious sql payloads. This injection allows for unauthorized database access and manipulation, potentially enabling attackers to extract sensitive information, modify or delete database records, and even escalate privileges within the wordpress environment. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface of the plugin, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by unauthorized users who have access to the admin area or through social engineering techniques that trick administrators into executing malicious requests. The flaw is categorized under cwe-89 sql injection, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that allows attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands on the database server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can lead to complete system compromise and persistent backdoor access. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain administrative control over wordpress installations, potentially leading to website defacement, data exfiltration, and use of compromised systems for further attacks. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of all data stored within the wordpress database, including user credentials, posts, pages, and plugin configurations. Organizations running vulnerable versions of the mTouch Quiz plugin face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches that could result in regulatory compliance violations and reputational damage. This vulnerability aligns with attack techniques described in the attack framework where adversaries exploit input validation flaws to achieve unauthorized database access and privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-100022 include immediate patching of the mTouch Quiz plugin to version 3.0.7 or later, which addresses the sql injection vulnerability through proper input sanitization and parameterized queries. System administrators should implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious sql injection attempts, while also conducting thorough security audits of all installed plugins and themes to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unusual administrative activities can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping wordpress plugins updated and following secure coding practices that prevent sql injection through proper input validation and parameterized database queries. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized sql command execution and maintain regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their web applications.