CVE-2015-9324 in easy-digital-downloads Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The easy-digital-downloads plugin before 2.3.3 for WordPress has SQL injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2025
The CVE-2015-9324 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the easy digital downloads wordpress plugin version 2.3.2 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's handling of user input in the download purchase process, where insufficient sanitization of parameters allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the database layer. The flaw exists due to improper input validation and parameter binding in the plugin's core functions that process payment transactions and download records. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting specially malformed requests that bypass normal input filtering mechanisms, enabling them to execute unauthorized database queries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql statements. This allows attackers to manipulate the sql execution flow by injecting malicious sql fragments that can be executed with the privileges of the web application. The vulnerability specifically impacts the plugin's transaction processing and user data handling functions, where purchase information, customer details, and download records are stored in the wordpress database. The flaw operates at the application layer and requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for wordpress installations that rely heavily on the easy digital downloads plugin for commerce operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9324 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete database compromise and potential system takeover. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized access to customer payment information, download records, user credentials, and other sensitive data stored within the wordpress database. Attackers may also leverage this vulnerability to modify or delete database records, inject malicious content into the website, or escalate privileges within the wordpress installation. The vulnerability affects all wordpress installations running vulnerable versions of the easy digital downloads plugin, making it a widespread concern for online merchants and service providers who rely on digital download functionality. This weakness directly aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection vulnerabilities as a critical security flaw requiring proper input validation and parameterized queries.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9324 require immediate patching of the easy digital downloads plugin to version 2.3.3 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization and parameter binding fixes. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers of their application architecture, including web application firewalls that can detect and block sql injection attempts. Database access controls should be reviewed to ensure that web applications use least privilege accounts with minimal database permissions. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other plugins and custom code components. The remediation process should follow established security frameworks such as those outlined in the mitre ATT&CK framework for web application exploitation techniques, ensuring that both immediate patching and long-term security hardening measures are implemented.