CVE-2015-5533 in Count Per Day Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in counter-options.php in the Count Per Day plugin before 3.4.1 for WordPress allows remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cpd_keep_month parameter to wp-admin/options-general.php. NOTE: this can be leveraged using CSRF to allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2024
The CVE-2015-5533 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Count Per Day WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.4.1. This vulnerability resides in the counter-options.php file and operates through the cpd_keep_month parameter within the wp-admin/options-general.php endpoint. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated administrator privileges to exploit, making it accessible to attackers who have gained administrative access to a WordPress site or who can leverage cross-site request forgery techniques to elevate their privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the plugin's administrative interface. When administrators interact with the counter-options.php file through the WordPress admin panel, the cpd_keep_month parameter is not adequately sanitized before being incorporated into SQL queries. This lack of proper input filtering creates an opportunity for malicious SQL commands to be executed within the database context, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even escalate their privileges within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in database query construction, and demonstrates how improper handling of user-supplied input can lead to severe security implications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the core functionality of the Count Per Day plugin and potentially the entire WordPress installation. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to modify or delete counter data, access sensitive information stored in the database, or even use the compromised system as a stepping stone for further attacks within the network. The fact that this vulnerability can be leveraged through CSRF techniques significantly increases its threat level, as it allows remote attackers to execute malicious commands without requiring direct user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators might be tricked into visiting malicious sites. This exploitation vector connects to ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting and social engineering tactics that can lead to privileged access.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of the Count Per Day plugin to version 3.4.1 or later, where proper input validation and sanitization measures have been implemented. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify any other potentially vulnerable plugins or themes that might be susceptible to similar SQL injection attacks. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at multiple layers of the application, including the web application firewall and database interaction points, can provide defense-in-depth protection against such vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.