CVE-2014-4939 in enl-newsletter
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the ENL Newsletter (enl-newsletter) plugin 1.0.1 for WordPress allows remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter in the enl-add-new page to wp-admin/admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The CVE-2014-4939 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the ENL Newsletter WordPress plugin version 1.0.1 that specifically targets authenticated administrator users. This vulnerability exists in the administrative backend of the plugin where the id parameter in the enl-add-new page of wp-admin/admin.php fails to properly sanitize user input. The flaw allows an attacker with administrator privileges to manipulate database queries through crafted input, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses in software applications. This issue demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and output encoding practices that are essential for preventing malicious sql command execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to possess valid administrator credentials within the WordPress environment, as the vulnerability is restricted to authenticated users. Once authenticated, the attacker can manipulate the id parameter in the administrative interface to inject malicious sql payloads. The vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into sql queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This creates an attack surface where arbitrary sql commands can be executed, potentially allowing for data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or complete database compromise. The attack vector specifically targets the wp-admin/admin.php endpoint which is part of the standard WordPress administrative interface, making it a legitimate target for exploitation within the normal administrative workflow.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4939 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. An attacker with administrative access can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, modify or delete database records, extract sensitive information from the WordPress database, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1078.004 indicates that it can be used for legitimate credential use exploitation, while T1046 and T1059 demonstrate the potential for network service discovery and command execution respectively. This vulnerability essentially provides a pathway for attackers to bypass normal security controls and gain deeper access to systems that should be protected by administrative access controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4939 should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the sql injection vulnerability, alongside comprehensive security hardening measures. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout their applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. The use of web application firewalls and database activity monitoring can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security practitioners should also enforce strict access control policies, implement multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts, and conduct regular security audits of installed plugins and themes. Additionally, maintaining up-to-date security patches and following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP secure coding guidelines can prevent the recurrence of such vulnerabilities in future development cycles. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in the application infrastructure.