CVE-2015-9301 in liveforms Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The liveforms plugin before 3.2.0 for WordPress has SQL injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2023
The CVE-2015-9301 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw in the liveforms plugin for WordPress systems prior to version 3.2.0. This vulnerability exposes WordPress installations to unauthorized data access and potential system compromise through malicious SQL commands executed via crafted input parameters. The liveforms plugin, designed to facilitate form creation and management within WordPress environments, contained insufficient input validation mechanisms that allowed attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into database queries. The flaw specifically manifested when the plugin processed user-supplied data without proper sanitization, creating an exploitable condition that could be leveraged by remote attackers to manipulate database operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling within the plugin's database interaction functions. Attackers could craft malicious input sequences that would be directly incorporated into SQL queries executed by the WordPress database layer. This lack of input sanitization creates a direct pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially allowing them to extract sensitive information, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges within the affected WordPress environment. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard user interface interactions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable full system compromise and persistent access to affected WordPress installations. Successful exploitation could result in complete database enumeration, allowing attackers to access user credentials, configuration data, and other sensitive information stored within the WordPress database. Additionally, attackers could potentially modify or delete critical system data, leading to service disruption and potential data loss. The vulnerability affects all WordPress installations using the liveforms plugin version 3.1.9 or earlier, making it a widespread concern for organizations that had not yet updated their plugin installations. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a common attack vector that has been documented in numerous security assessments and penetration testing reports.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement remediation measures including updating to liveforms plugin version 3.2.0 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, while database access controls should be reviewed to limit potential damage from successful attacks. Security teams should also implement web application firewalls and input validation rules to prevent malicious SQL injection attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping third-party plugins updated and maintaining comprehensive security monitoring for all components within WordPress environments. This case study aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications, and highlights the necessity of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs to prevent such incidents.