CVE-2014-1854 in AdRotate
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in library/clicktracker.php in the AdRotate Pro plugin 3.9 through 3.9.5 and AdRotate Free plugin 3.9 through 3.9.4 for WordPress allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the track parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1854 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the AdRotate WordPress plugin ecosystem, specifically affecting both the Pro and Free variants across their respective version ranges. This security weakness resides in the library/clicktracker.php file, which serves as a crucial component for tracking user interactions and click metrics within the advertising system. The vulnerability manifests through the improper handling of the track parameter, which is designed to capture and process user engagement data but fails to adequately sanitize input before incorporating it into database queries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate the track parameter to inject malicious SQL code into the application's database operations. This flaw falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the core tracking functionality of the advertising plugin, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary database commands with the privileges of the web application's database user. This could result in unauthorized data access, data modification, or complete database compromise, depending on the underlying database permissions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress installations utilizing AdRotate plugins, particularly those managing advertising campaigns or collecting user interaction data. The remote attack vector means that malicious actors can exploit this weakness without requiring physical access to the system or prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous for high-traffic websites that rely heavily on advertising tracking. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions of both the Pro and Free plugins indicates a widespread exposure across the WordPress ecosystem, potentially affecting thousands of websites that have not yet updated to patched versions. Attackers could leverage this weakness to extract sensitive information from the database, including user credentials, advertising campaign data, or other confidential information stored within the WordPress installation.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2014-1854 requires immediate action from affected WordPress administrators, including updating to the latest versions of both AdRotate Pro and Free plugins where the vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures for all user-supplied data, particularly parameters used in database queries. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol, where attackers exploit web application vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access. Additionally, implementing proper database access controls, using parameterized queries, and conducting regular security audits of WordPress plugins can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious database activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date WordPress plugins and following secure coding practices to prevent similar injection attacks that could compromise entire web applications.