CVE-2014-8810 in WP Symposium
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in ajax/mail_functions.php in the WP Symposium plugin before 14.11 for WordPress allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the tray parameter in a getMailMessage action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2025
The CVE-2014-8810 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the WP Symposium plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions prior to 14.11. This vulnerability resides within the ajax/mail_functions.php file and exposes the system to remote authenticated attackers who can leverage the tray parameter in the getMailMessage action to execute arbitrary SQL commands. The WP Symposium plugin is a popular social networking solution for WordPress that enables users to create community platforms with messaging capabilities, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for sites relying on its functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the plugin's AJAX handling mechanism. When an authenticated user submits a request containing the tray parameter through the getMailMessage action, the application fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into SQL query construction. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL fragments that can manipulate the database structure, extract sensitive information, or even gain unauthorized access to the underlying database system. The vulnerability is classified as a classic SQL injection attack pattern that aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform complete database compromise operations. An authenticated attacker with access to the WordPress platform can exploit this vulnerability to escalate privileges, modify user accounts, access private communications, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the affected system. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that attackers who have obtained legitimate user credentials can leverage this vulnerability without requiring additional exploitation techniques. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1046 which covers network service scanning, as the exploitation process typically involves reconnaissance and authentication leveraging.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the official plugin update to version 14.11 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and parameterized query implementations. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and monitor database logs for suspicious activity. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at multiple layers, including web application firewalls and database query sanitization, provides defense-in-depth protection. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of regular security updates and proper code review processes, particularly for plugins that handle sensitive user data through AJAX interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing database access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized SQL command execution attempts, as this type of vulnerability can serve as a gateway for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress ecosystem.