CVE-2015-10124 in Most Popular Posts Widget Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
A vulnerability was found in Most Popular Posts Widget Plugin up to 0.8 on WordPress. It has been classified as critical. Affected is the function add_views/show_views of the file functions.php. The manipulation leads to sql injection. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. Upgrading to version 0.9 is able to address this issue. The patch is identified as a99667d11ac8d320006909387b100e9a8b5c12e1. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. VDB-241026 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2015-10124 represents a critical sql injection flaw in the Most Popular Posts Widget WordPress plugin version 0.8 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the functions.php file and specifically affects the add_views and show_views functions, which are integral to the plugin's functionality for tracking and displaying popular posts. The flaw enables remote code execution through sql injection attacks, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can exploit this vulnerability without requiring local system access or authentication credentials. The attack vector operates entirely through web-based interactions, leveraging the plugin's handling of user input to manipulate database queries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the plugin's core functions. When the add_views function processes user data to increment view counts or when show_views retrieves and displays popular post information, the plugin fails to properly escape or parameterize database inputs. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands through crafted input parameters that are directly incorporated into database queries without proper sanitization. The vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws, and aligns with attack techniques categorized under the ATT&CK framework's T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS categories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or corruption, as it enables full database compromise and potentially complete system takeover. Remote attackers can execute arbitrary sql commands against the affected WordPress installation's database, allowing them to extract sensitive information, modify database contents, inject malicious code, or even escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability affects all WordPress installations running the affected plugin version, regardless of the underlying server configuration or security measures in place, making it particularly dangerous for widely deployed plugins. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, modify user credentials, or deface websites, all while maintaining anonymity due to the remote exploitation capability.
Security mitigation for CVE-2015-10124 requires immediate action to upgrade the Most Popular Posts Widget plugin to version 0.9 or later, as this update contains the necessary patch identified by the commit hash a99667d11ac8d320006909387b100e9a8b5c12e1. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, implementing web application firewalls to detect sql injection attempts, and maintaining comprehensive backup systems to facilitate rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation. The patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper input sanitization and parameterized database queries, ensuring that user-supplied data cannot be interpreted as sql commands. System administrators should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege for database connections and monitoring database activities for suspicious patterns that may indicate sql injection attempts, aligning with security best practices outlined in industry standards such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 security controls.