CVE-2014-10387 in wp-support-plus-responsive-ticket-system Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The wp-support-plus-responsive-ticket-system plugin before 4.2 for WordPress has SQL injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The wp-support-plus-responsive-ticket-system plugin for WordPress contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability that affects versions prior to 4.2. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of user input within database queries, creating an opportunity for attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. The flaw specifically manifests when the plugin processes parameters from HTTP requests without proper sanitization or parameterization, allowing malicious actors to manipulate database operations through crafted input values. The vulnerability impacts WordPress installations where this plugin is actively deployed, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this SQL injection flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the plugin's database interaction routines. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious payloads through parameters that are directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameter binding. This allows for unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion operations, potentially leading to complete database compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands as a fundamental weakness in application input handling. The attack vector typically involves manipulating URL parameters or form fields that the plugin processes, enabling attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax that executes with the privileges of the database user account used by the WordPress application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, allowing attackers to extract sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, or confidential business information. The vulnerability also provides potential for persistent backdoor installation, where attackers might create new administrative accounts or modify existing user permissions. Additionally, the compromised system could be used as a staging ground for further attacks within the network infrastructure, particularly in environments where WordPress serves as a primary web application platform. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol traffic inspection, and T1190, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to upgrade to version 4.2 or later of the wp-support-plus-responsive-ticket-system plugin, which includes proper input sanitization and parameterized query implementations. Organizations should also implement comprehensive database access controls, ensuring that the database user account used by WordPress has minimal required privileges and that proper input validation is enforced at multiple layers of the application architecture. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns, while regular security audits should verify that all installed plugins and themes are current with security patches. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include both application-level and infrastructure-level security controls to prevent exploitation of similar weaknesses in other components of the WordPress ecosystem.