CVE-2015-9325 in visitors-online Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The visitors-online plugin before 0.4 for WordPress has SQL injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2023
The CVE-2015-9325 vulnerability affects the visitors-online plugin version 0.3 and earlier for WordPress, representing a critical SQL injection flaw that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the affected system. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's handling of user input parameters, specifically in how it processes data from HTTP requests without proper sanitization or validation. The flaw enables an attacker to manipulate database queries through malicious input, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the WordPress database. The vulnerability impacts all WordPress installations using the affected plugin version, creating a significant security risk for websites that rely on this plugin for tracking online visitors.
The technical implementation of this SQL injection vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the plugin's database interaction code. When the plugin processes visitor tracking data or user requests, it fails to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL fragments that can alter the intended query execution flow, potentially leading to data extraction, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the database level, bypassing typical application-level security controls. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, which is a well-documented weakness in database security. The attack vector is typically through HTTP GET or POST parameters that the plugin uses to track visitor information, making it easily exploitable by remote attackers with minimal technical expertise.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9325 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable complete system compromise and persistent access to affected WordPress installations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract user credentials, personal information, and other sensitive data stored in the database. The vulnerability also allows for privilege escalation within the WordPress environment, potentially enabling attackers to modify website content, install malicious plugins, or even take full control of the hosting environment. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004: Application Layer Protocol: DNS, where attackers might use the compromised system as a pivot point for further network exploration. Additionally, the vulnerability can be exploited to create backdoors, modify website functionality, or establish persistent access through malicious code injection, making it a significant threat to website integrity and user privacy.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9325 require immediate action to address the vulnerable plugin installation. The primary recommendation is to upgrade to version 0.4 or later of the visitors-online plugin, which includes proper input sanitization and parameterized query implementations. System administrators should also implement comprehensive monitoring of database queries and network traffic to detect potential exploitation attempts. Input validation should be strengthened at multiple layers, including application-level filtering and database-level query parameterization. Security measures such as web application firewalls and database activity monitoring tools can provide additional protection against exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected plugin across their WordPress installations and ensure that all plugins are regularly updated to maintain security posture. According to security best practices, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in database operations, aligning with security frameworks that emphasize defense in depth approaches to protect against SQL injection attacks.