CVE-2015-9315 in NewStatPress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The newstatpress plugin before 1.0.1 for WordPress has SQL injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2023
The CVE-2015-9315 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the newstatpress plugin for WordPress systems, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.0.1. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of user input within database queries, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to manipulate database operations through crafted input parameters. The flaw manifests when the plugin processes user-supplied data without proper sanitization or parameterization, enabling attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the affected WordPress installation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the classic SQL injection pattern where user-controllable parameters are directly incorporated into SQL query construction without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms. This weakness falls under CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a fundamental flaw in input validation and database query construction. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within a WordPress plugin ecosystem, which typically runs with elevated privileges and has access to sensitive user data, configuration files, and potentially administrative functions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract database contents, modify or delete records, and potentially escalate privileges to gain full administrative control over the compromised WordPress site.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9315 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the entire WordPress environment through database-level access. Given that newstatpress plugin tracks various website statistics and user activities, successful exploitation could result in the compromise of sensitive user information, session data, and potentially the complete website database. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require authentication, making it particularly attractive to attackers who can leverage it for automated scanning and exploitation of vulnerable WordPress installations. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of remote services for initial access and persistence mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate patching and remediation of affected WordPress installations. System administrators should upgrade to newstatpress plugin version 1.0.1 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with SQL injection detection capabilities can provide an additional layer of protection. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and parameterized queries as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security practices, where SQL injection consistently ranks among the most critical web application security risks. Organizations should also consider implementing database access controls and monitoring for unusual query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as recommended by NIST SP 800-53 security controls for database protection and access management.