CVE-2014-10376 in i-recommend-this Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The i-recommend-this plugin before 3.7.3 for WordPress has SQL injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2023
The i-recommend-this plugin for WordPress suffered from a critical SQL injection vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-10376 affecting versions prior to 3.7.3. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's handling of user input parameters that are directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The flaw specifically manifests when the plugin processes data from HTTP request parameters, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands that can be executed against the underlying database.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization practices within the plugin's codebase. When users interact with the plugin's functionality, particularly through features that process user-generated content or configuration parameters, the plugin fails to properly escape or parameterize these inputs before incorporating them into database queries. This creates an environment where an attacker can manipulate the SQL execution flow by injecting malicious SQL syntax that bypasses normal security controls and authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or corruption. Attackers can leverage this SQL injection flaw to execute arbitrary commands on the database server, potentially gaining full administrative control over the WordPress installation. This includes the ability to extract sensitive user credentials, modify or delete content, inject backdoors, and escalate privileges within the application. The vulnerability affects not only the plugin's immediate functionality but also compromises the entire WordPress ecosystem, as the database typically contains critical application data and user information.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a common weakness in web applications that occurs when user input is improperly validated or escaped before being incorporated into SQL queries. This weakness represents a fundamental security flaw that has been consistently identified across numerous web applications and platforms, making it one of the most prevalent and dangerous vulnerabilities in the cybersecurity landscape. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers often use such vulnerabilities to establish persistent access and expand their operational capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 3.7.3 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and parameterized query execution. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of third-party plugins, database query logging and monitoring, and implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block SQL injection attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive vulnerability scanning of all WordPress installations to identify potentially affected plugins and ensure that all security updates are properly applied across the entire infrastructure.