CVE-2014-9519 in InfiniteWP Admin Panel
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in login.php in InfiniteWP Admin Panel before 2.4.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the email parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9519 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the InfiniteWP Admin Panel authentication mechanism. This weakness specifically affects the login.php script and exists in versions prior to 2.4.3 of the administrative interface. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, particularly the email parameter that is processed during the login sequence. Attackers can exploit this flaw to manipulate the underlying sql database queries by injecting malicious sql commands through the email field, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive system information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common sql injection attack patterns classified under CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities in software applications. The flaw occurs when the application directly incorporates user input into sql queries without proper escaping or parameterization mechanisms. When an attacker submits malicious input through the email parameter, the application processes this data without adequate validation, allowing the sql injection payload to be executed within the database context. This creates a pathway for unauthorized users to bypass authentication mechanisms and execute arbitrary commands on the database server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with potential full database compromise capabilities. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, administrative access details, and potentially other confidential data stored within the application's database. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it requires no prior authentication and can be executed from any network location, making it highly exploitable in automated attack scenarios. Additionally, the vulnerability may enable attackers to escalate privileges, modify database content, or even execute operating system commands depending on the database server configuration and permissions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9519 should prioritize immediate patching of the InfiniteWP Admin Panel to version 2.4.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, including the use of prepared statements and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of administrative interfaces, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include monitoring for suspicious login attempts and implementing rate limiting mechanisms to prevent automated exploitation attempts. Security frameworks such as those outlined in the mitre ATT&CK matrix categorize this vulnerability under the credential access and execution tactics, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures including database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems to prevent successful exploitation.