CVE-2014-5189 in Lead Octopus
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in lib/optin/optin_page.php in the Lead Octopus plugin for WordPress allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2025
The CVE-2014-5189 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Lead Octopus wordpress plugin ecosystem. This vulnerability specifically targets the optin_page.php file located in the lib/optin/ directory structure of the plugin. The flaw occurs when the plugin fails to properly sanitize or validate user input received through the id parameter, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute malicious sql commands against the underlying database. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where user-supplied data flows directly into sql query execution without adequate input validation or parameterization, making it a classic example of unsafe sql query construction practices.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern where an attacker crafts malicious input containing sql payload within the id parameter of the optin_page.php endpoint. When the vulnerable plugin processes this input, it incorporates the unsanitized data directly into sql queries without proper escaping or parameterization mechanisms. This allows attackers to manipulate the intended sql query execution flow and potentially gain unauthorized access to database contents, execute destructive commands, or even escalate privileges within the compromised wordpress environment. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-89 sql injection, which is categorized as a high-severity weakness in the common weakness enumeration framework, specifically addressing the improper handling of sql query construction with user-provided input.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risk to wordpress installations running the affected Lead Octopus plugin version. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to extract sensitive information from the database including user credentials, personal data, and plugin configuration details. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers may also be able to modify or delete database records, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data destruction. In a typical exploitation scenario, an attacker would first identify the vulnerable endpoint, then craft a malicious payload targeting the id parameter, and finally execute sql commands to achieve their desired objectives. This vulnerability aligns with several tactics and techniques outlined in the mitre att&ck framework under the initial access and execution phases, specifically targeting the persistence and privilege escalation domains through database manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5189 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin to the latest version containing sql injection防护 mechanisms. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output escaping techniques throughout their web applications, particularly when handling user-supplied data in sql contexts. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should be mandatory for all database interactions to prevent sql injection attacks. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they should not be considered the primary remediation approach. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the wordpress ecosystem. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping all third-party plugins updated and maintaining comprehensive security monitoring to detect anomalous database access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.