CVE-2015-9399 in wp-stats-dashboard Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The wp-stats-dashboard plugin through 2.9.4 for WordPress has admin/graph_trend.php type SQL injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2023
The wp-stats-dashboard plugin for WordPress contains a critical sql injection vulnerability in the admin/graph_trend.php component that affects versions through 2.9.4. This vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are directly incorporated into sql query construction without proper escaping or parameterization. The flaw exists within the plugin's administrative interface where statistical data is processed and displayed, making it accessible to authenticated administrators who possess sufficient privileges to exploit the vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize the type parameter that is passed to the graph_trend.php script. When an attacker with administrative access submits malicious input through this parameter, the sql query construction process directly incorporates the unsanitized data into the database query string. This creates an environment where sql injection attacks can be executed with the privileges of the web application, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive information from the database, modify or delete records, or even escalate their privileges within the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise as it provides attackers with persistent access to the affected WordPress installation. Since the vulnerability exists within the administrative dashboard component, successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain full control over the plugin's functionality and potentially the entire WordPress site. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires only administrative privileges, which are typically limited but still represent a significant security risk when compromised. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 sql injection weakness classification and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 valid accounts for privilege escalation and T1566 credential harvesting through malicious file execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the wp-stats-dashboard plugin to version 2.9.5 or later where the sql injection flaw has been addressed through proper input sanitization and parameterized query construction. Organizations should implement strict input validation measures that filter and sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly within administrative interfaces. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can limit the impact of compromised administrative accounts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database query patterns that may indicate sql injection attempts, and regular security audits should verify that all plugins and themes maintain current versions with known security fixes. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices such as using prepared statements and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks at the source.