CVE-2014-5183 in simple-retail-menus
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in includes/mode-edit.php in the Simple Retail Menus (simple-retail-menus) plugin before 4.1 for WordPress allows remote authenticated editors to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the targetmenu parameter in an edit action to wp-admin/admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2019
The CVE-2014-5183 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the simple retail menus wordpress plugin version 4.0 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the includes/mode-edit.php file and affects authenticated users with editor privileges who can access the wp-admin/admin.php endpoint. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the targetmenu parameter, which is processed during edit operations within the plugin's administrative interface. Attackers with editor-level access can exploit this weakness to inject malicious sql commands directly into the database layer, bypassing normal security controls and potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling within the plugin's codebase where user-supplied input from the targetmenu parameter is directly incorporated into sql queries without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms. This creates a classic sql injection vector that allows attackers to manipulate the underlying database operations. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires authentication, making it a privilege escalation issue rather than a direct remote code execution vulnerability. However, the impact remains severe as authenticated editors possess sufficient privileges to execute malicious commands that could compromise the entire wordpress installation and potentially lead to full system compromise.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to wordpress sites utilizing the simple retail menus plugin. The attack surface is limited to sites where editors have been granted administrative access, but this scenario is common in many wordpress installations where multiple users require content management capabilities. The exploitation process involves crafting malicious sql payloads through the targetmenu parameter, which can result in data theft, data modification, or even complete database compromise. Security researchers have classified this vulnerability under the CWE-89 category, which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses in software applications. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts as a means to gain access to systems, since the attack requires legitimate user credentials to exploit the vulnerability.
The remediation approach for CVE-2014-5183 centers on upgrading to version 4.1 or later of the simple retail menus plugin, which includes proper input sanitization and parameter validation measures. System administrators should immediately implement this patch across all affected wordpress installations and conduct thorough security audits to identify any potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles can mitigate the impact of such vulnerabilities by limiting the number of users with editor privileges who can access administrative functions. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions to detect and prevent sql injection attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and the need for regular security updates in content management systems to protect against known exploitation vectors.