CVE-2015-4066 in GigPress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in admin/handlers.php in the GigPress plugin before 2.3.9 for WordPress allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) show_artist_id or (2) show_venue_id parameter in an add action in the gigpress.php page to wp-admin/admin.php.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2025
The CVE-2015-4066 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the GigPress WordPress plugin version 2.3.8 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the admin/handlers.php file within the plugin's administrative interface, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. The vulnerability occurs when processing requests through the gigpress.php page that directs to wp-admin/admin.php, where the show_artist_id and show_venue_id parameters are improperly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The attack vector requires an authenticated user with sufficient privileges to access the WordPress administrative dashboard, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate administrative access to escalate privileges and compromise database integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate and sanitize user input parameters within the administrative handler functions. When an authenticated user submits data through the add action functionality in the gigpress.php page, the show_artist_id and show_venue_id parameters are directly concatenated into SQL queries without appropriate input sanitization or parameterization. This creates a classic SQL injection scenario where malicious input can alter the intended query structure and potentially execute unauthorized database operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information from the database, modify existing records, insert new malicious entries, or even gain elevated privileges within the WordPress installation.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4066 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the entire GigPress plugin functionality and potentially compromise the broader WordPress environment. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized modification of event listings, artist information, and venue details stored in the database. The vulnerability's presence in the administrative handler file means that attackers could potentially access or modify any data managed by the GigPress plugin, including sensitive information about upcoming events and user data. This represents a significant risk to event management websites that rely on GigPress for organizing and displaying musical performances, as attackers could disrupt service or manipulate event schedules for malicious purposes. The vulnerability also demonstrates how plugin security flaws can create persistent attack vectors that remain exploitable until properly patched.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of the official patch released by the GigPress plugin developers, upgrading to version 2.3.9 or later. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout their administrative interfaces to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. Security practices should include regular plugin updates, comprehensive security audits of WordPress installations, and implementation of web application firewalls to detect and prevent SQL injection attempts. This vulnerability exemplifies the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1078.004, which addresses valid accounts with administrative privileges. The incident underscores the necessity of maintaining updated security controls and proper access management to prevent authenticated attackers from leveraging legitimate administrative access for unauthorized database operations.