CVE-2014-5182 in yawpp
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the yawpp plugin 1.2 for WordPress allow remote authenticated users with Contributor privileges to execute arbitrary SQL commands via vectors related to (1) admin_functions.php or (2) admin_update.php, as demonstrated by the id parameter in the update action to wp-admin/admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-5182 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the yawpp plugin version 1.2 for WordPress platforms. This vulnerability specifically targets authenticated users who possess Contributor level privileges, which significantly broadens the potential attack surface as Contributors can typically publish posts and comments but not directly modify core system settings. The flaw exists in two primary locations within the plugin's administrative interface, namely admin_functions.php and admin_update.php files, making it particularly dangerous as it affects multiple attack vectors within the same plugin module.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data within the WordPress administrative environment. When an authenticated Contributor user accesses the update action through wp-admin/admin.php and submits an id parameter, the plugin fails to properly escape or validate this input before incorporating it into SQL database queries. This lack of input sanitization creates a direct pathway for malicious SQL commands to be executed within the database context, allowing attackers to manipulate, extract, or corrupt data stored within the WordPress database. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper escaping or validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate their privileges within the WordPress environment. Since Contributors can already perform certain administrative actions, successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain access to sensitive data, modify user permissions, or even escalate to administrator privileges. The attack requires only Contributor-level authentication, which is often easier to obtain than administrator credentials, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for WordPress installations. The vulnerability affects the core database integrity and can potentially lead to complete system compromise if combined with other exploitation techniques or if the database contains sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5182 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to the latest available version that addresses the SQL injection flaws. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and sanitization measures within their WordPress installations, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before database insertion. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by filtering suspicious SQL injection patterns, though these should complement rather than replace proper code-level fixes. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security auditing of WordPress plugins and the necessity of maintaining updated software versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls can limit the damage potential of such vulnerabilities by restricting what authenticated users can accomplish within the system. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a database access technique where adversaries leverage application-level vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to backend databases, emphasizing the need for comprehensive application security measures that protect against both external and internal threats.