CVE-2014-5184 in stripshow
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the stripshow-storylines page in the stripShow plugin 2.5.2 for WordPress allows remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the story parameter in an edit action to wp-admin/admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5184 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the stripShow WordPress plugin version 2.5.2, specifically affecting the stripshow-storylines page. This vulnerability exists within the administrative interface of the plugin, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by authenticated users with administrator privileges. The flaw is rooted in improper input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data within the story parameter of the edit action in the wp-admin/admin.php file. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The attack vector requires an authenticated administrator to access the plugin's administrative interface, making this a privilege escalation vulnerability rather than a straightforward remote code execution threat.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker with administrator credentials submits a maliciously crafted story parameter to the stripshow-storylines page. The plugin fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into SQL queries, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that are then executed against the underlying database. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through administrative access. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise, allowing attackers to read, modify, or delete sensitive information including user credentials, posts, and plugin configurations. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate secure coding principles and database security best practices.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-5184 is severe for WordPress installations using the affected stripShow plugin, as it provides attackers with a direct path to database manipulation and potential lateral movement within the compromised environment. Once an attacker gains administrative access through this vulnerability, they can leverage the compromised credentials to access other parts of the WordPress installation, potentially compromising additional plugins, themes, or user accounts. The vulnerability's classification as a remote authenticated attack means that the attacker does not need to be physically present at the target site, but rather needs to have obtained valid administrative credentials through other means such as credential theft, social engineering, or prior exploitation of other vulnerabilities. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning in environments where administrative access is not adequately protected or where credential security practices are weak.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5184 should focus on immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 2.5.3 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring of administrative activities and database access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that administrative accounts are only accessible from trusted networks and that multi-factor authentication is implemented for all administrative users. Security configurations should include regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify similar issues in other plugins or themes. Additionally, input sanitization should be implemented at multiple layers of the application, including the application layer and database layer, to provide defense in depth. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and following secure coding practices such as parameterized queries and input validation to prevent similar issues in future development cycles.