CVE-2015-4064 in Landing Pages Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in modules/module.ab-testing.php in the Landing Pages plugin before 1.8.5 for WordPress allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the post parameter in an edit delete-variation action to wp-admin/post.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2025
The CVE-2015-4064 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Landing Pages plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.8.5. This vulnerability resides in the modules/module.ab-testing.php file and demonstrates a classic security oversight where user input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The flaw occurs during the edit delete-variation action within the wp-admin/post.php endpoint, creating an attack vector that allows authenticated users to manipulate the underlying database through malicious SQL commands.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization practices within the plugin's backend processing logic. When an authenticated user submits a request containing malicious SQL content through the post parameter, the application fails to adequately escape or parameterize the input before executing database operations. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL code that executes with the privileges of the web application's database user, potentially leading to complete database compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that any user with valid WordPress credentials can exploit this flaw, making it a significant concern for sites with multiple user roles.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for WordPress installations using the affected plugin version. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive data including user credentials, personal information, and site configuration details. The SQL injection capability also enables attackers to modify or delete database records, potentially corrupting site content or rendering the application unusable. Furthermore, successful exploitation could provide attackers with a foothold for further attacks within the network, as database credentials often have broader access permissions than typical user accounts. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4064 primarily focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to version 1.8.5 or later, which contains the necessary security patches. Administrators should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper access controls to limit the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and monitoring of plugin updates are essential practices to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities, as this flaw demonstrates the importance of maintaining current software versions. Network segmentation and database privilege management can also help reduce the overall impact if such vulnerabilities are exploited, ensuring that database access is restricted to only necessary application functions.