CVE-2014-9442 in Cart66 Lite
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in models/Cart66Ajax.php in the Cart66 Lite plugin before 1.5.4 for WordPress allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the q parameter in a promotionProductSearch action to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9442 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Cart66 Lite plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions prior to 154. This vulnerability resides in the models/Cart66Ajax.php file and exploits a weakness in the plugin's handling of user input through the q parameter during the promotionProductSearch action. The flaw occurs within the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php endpoint which serves as a central hub for processing ajax requests in WordPress, making it a prime target for exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that any user with valid credentials to the WordPress admin panel can leverage this flaw to execute malicious sql commands. This authentication requirement significantly reduces the attack surface compared to unauthenticated exploits, yet still poses a severe risk as it can be exploited by compromised accounts or insider threats. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which defines sql injection as the improper inclusion of sql query input into the main sql query, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation. The specific flaw demonstrates how improperly sanitized user input can lead to complete database compromise when processed through vulnerable endpoints.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user submits a malicious value through the q parameter in a request to the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php endpoint with the promotionProductSearch action. The Cart66 plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape this input before incorporating it into sql queries, allowing attackers to inject malicious sql code that executes with the privileges of the affected WordPress installation. This injection can occur during product search operations within the promotion functionality of the plugin, where the q parameter is used to filter or search product listings. The sql injection vulnerability enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to data extraction, data modification, privilege escalation, and potentially complete database compromise. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers do not need to perform complex reconnaissance or credential harvesting, as they can leverage existing administrative access to perform these operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the Cart66 plugin's ajax handling mechanism, which is commonly used for dynamic content loading in modern web applications, making it a typical vector for such attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9442 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential business disruption. Attackers with access to the wp-admin interface can extract sensitive customer data, including personal information, purchase histories, and potentially payment details stored in the affected WordPress database. The vulnerability can also enable attackers to modify or delete critical product information, disrupt e-commerce operations, and potentially escalate privileges to gain administrator access to the entire WordPress installation. Given that Cart66 is a plugin used for e-commerce functionality, the potential for financial loss and reputational damage is significant. The vulnerability affects not just individual sites but can potentially compromise entire networks if multiple sites use the same vulnerable plugin version. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues if customer data is compromised, particularly under gdpr and other data protection regulations. The vulnerability also demonstrates how third-party plugins can introduce significant security risks to otherwise well-protected WordPress installations, highlighting the importance of regular plugin updates and security assessments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9442 center on immediate patching of the Cart66 Lite plugin to version 154 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the sql injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms for all user-supplied data, particularly within ajax endpoints. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the impact of compromised accounts by restricting administrative access to essential personnel only. Regular security audits of installed plugins and themes should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. The use of web application firewalls and sql injection detection systems can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring for suspicious patterns in incoming requests. Security monitoring should specifically target the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php endpoint and related cart functionality to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also maintain regular backups of their WordPress installations and test restoration procedures to ensure business continuity in case of successful exploitation. The vulnerability underscores the importance of keeping all software components updated and following security best practices for web application development, particularly regarding input sanitization and privilege management. Implementing principle of least privilege for administrative accounts and regular security training for users can further reduce the risk of exploitation.