CVE-2015-9335 in limit-attempts Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The limit-attempts plugin before 1.1.1 for WordPress has SQL injection during IP address handling.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The CVE-2015-9335 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the limit-attempts plugin for WordPress systems prior to version 1.1.1. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of IP addresses during authentication attempt limiting processes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of IP address data, which allows attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations that utilize this specific plugin for monitoring and limiting failed login attempts, making it particularly dangerous in environments where brute force attack prevention is critical. Security researchers identified that the plugin's code failed to properly escape or validate IP address strings before incorporating them into SQL query constructs, creating a direct injection vector.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin processes IP addresses from incoming requests during authentication attempts. The flaw manifests in the plugin's database query construction logic where user-supplied IP address information is directly concatenated into SQL statements without proper sanitization. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious IP addresses that contain SQL injection payloads, which then get executed when the plugin attempts to log or query authentication attempts. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires minimal privileges to exploit, as the plugin typically runs with database access permissions. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it leverages legitimate plugin functionality, making detection more challenging for security monitoring systems that might not flag normal IP address handling as suspicious behavior.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9335 extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing full database compromise and potential system takeover. Successful exploitation allows attackers to read, modify, or delete sensitive data including user credentials, session information, and potentially other application data stored in the WordPress database. The vulnerability also enables attackers to escalate privileges within the WordPress environment, potentially gaining administrative control over affected sites. In large-scale deployments, this could result in widespread compromise of multiple WordPress installations, particularly those using the vulnerable plugin version. The attack surface is broad since the plugin is commonly used for security hardening, meaning that organizations relying on it for protection may paradoxically become more vulnerable to exploitation. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection flaws and maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to protect their WordPress installations. The primary and most critical action involves upgrading to plugin version 1.1.1 or later, which contains the necessary input validation and sanitization fixes. Additionally, implementing proper web application firewall rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting the plugin's endpoints can provide immediate protection. Database access controls should be reviewed to ensure the plugin's database user has minimal required privileges, following the principle of least privilege. Network segmentation and monitoring of authentication attempt logs can help detect exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all WordPress plugins and themes to identify similar patterns of insecure input handling. Regular security audits and automated scanning should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in the future, as this flaw demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in security-critical code components.