CVE-2015-7791 in Welcart Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in admin.php in the Collne Welcart plugin before 1.5.3 for WordPress allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) search[column] or (2) switch parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2025
The CVE-2015-7791 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Collne Welcart plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.5.3. This vulnerability manifests as multiple SQL injection flaws within the admin.php file, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors who have gained administrative access to a WordPress site. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the administrative interface, where attackers can leverage their authenticated access to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. The specific parameters affected are search[column] and switch, both of which are processed without adequate input sanitization or parameter validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed by the database server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP parameters within the WordPress administrative panel. When an authenticated user with sufficient privileges accesses the admin.php file and submits malicious input through either the search[column] or switch parameters, the plugin fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before incorporating them into SQL queries. This lack of proper input validation creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate the database queries and execute arbitrary commands. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which describes SQL injection flaws that occur when user-provided data is directly incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization. This particular implementation falls under the category of authenticated SQL injection, where the attack requires pre-existing administrative credentials but can result in complete database compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7791 extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected WordPress database. Successful exploitation can lead to data exfiltration, unauthorized user account creation, modification of existing content, and potentially the complete compromise of the WordPress installation. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, install backdoors, or even use the compromised database as a staging ground for further attacks against the broader network infrastructure. The vulnerability also enables attackers to perform actions such as password resets, content manipulation, and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the database. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability represents a high-value target because it requires minimal additional effort beyond obtaining administrative credentials and provides maximum operational impact.
Security mitigations for CVE-2015-7791 primarily focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to version 1.5.3 or later, which contain proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all WordPress plugins remain current with security updates. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring administrative activities can help detect suspicious parameter usage patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and parameterized queries as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles, specifically addressing the need for proper data sanitization in web applications. Network segmentation and database access controls should also be implemented to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation, as this vulnerability can be leveraged for privilege escalation and data manipulation attacks. Regular security audits and code reviews focusing on SQL injection prevention mechanisms should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the WordPress ecosystem.