CVE-2014-5201 in Gallery Objects
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Gallery Objects plugin 0.4 for WordPress allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the viewid parameter in a go_view_object action to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2025
The CVE-2014-5201 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Gallery Objects plugin version 0.4 for WordPress systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of user input through the viewid parameter within the go_view_object action that processes requests through wp-admin/admin-ajax.php. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the database query execution flow, potentially compromising the entire wordpress installation and underlying database infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input from the viewid parameter before incorporating it into sql queries. This lack of input validation creates an attack surface where malicious actors can construct sql payloads that bypass normal security controls and execute unauthorized database operations. The vulnerability resides in the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php endpoint which serves as a central ajax handler for wordpress administrative functions, making it a prime target for exploitation. According to CWE standards, this maps to CWE-89 sql injection, which is classified as a high severity weakness in software security architectures.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-5201 extends far beyond simple data theft or modification. Successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise, allowing attackers to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and administrative access details. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized actions such as creating new administrator accounts, modifying existing user privileges, and potentially gaining full control over the wordpress installation. This type of vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 valid accounts, as attackers can leverage compromised credentials to maintain persistent access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Gallery Objects plugin to version 0.5 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. System administrators should also implement proper input sanitization measures at the web application level, including parameterized queries and proper escaping of user input. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by monitoring for suspicious sql injection patterns in traffic to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other plugins and themes. The remediation process must also include monitoring database logs for signs of unauthorized access attempts and implementing proper access controls to limit the privileges of database users. Organizations should maintain updated security baselines and conduct regular penetration testing to ensure comprehensive protection against similar sql injection vulnerabilities in their wordpress environments.