CVE-2015-9400 in wordpress-meta-robots Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The wordpress-meta-robots plugin through 2.1 for WordPress has wp-admin/post-new.php text SQL injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2023
The CVE-2015-9400 vulnerability affects the wordpress-meta-robots plugin version 2.1 and earlier, representing a critical SQL injection flaw within the WordPress content management system ecosystem. This vulnerability specifically targets the wp-admin/post-new.php administrative endpoint, which serves as a primary interface for creating new posts within the WordPress admin panel. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data that flows into database query construction processes, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of text input parameters within the plugin's backend processing logic. When administrators or authenticated users navigate to the post creation interface, the plugin fails to adequately sanitize or escape user-provided text content before incorporating it into SQL query structures. This omission creates a classic SQL injection vector where malicious payloads can be injected into database queries, potentially enabling attackers to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges within the affected WordPress installation. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative credentials might be compromised.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress installations running the affected plugin version. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, leading to data theft, content manipulation, or the potential for persistent backdoor establishment within the target environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative interface, which typically contains elevated privileges and access to sensitive system information. Organizations using WordPress with this plugin version face potential regulatory compliance violations, data breaches, and reputational damage if exploited. The vulnerability also aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack tree framework, where initial access through SQL injection can lead to privilege escalation and lateral movement within network environments.
Security mitigations for CVE-2015-9400 primarily involve immediate plugin updates to versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability, which typically include proper input sanitization and parameterized query implementations. Organizations should also implement network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious SQL injection patterns and ensure that WordPress installations maintain up-to-date core software and all plugins. The vulnerability maps to CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques categorized under credential access and privilege escalation. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues across the entire WordPress ecosystem, as this vulnerability type represents a common attack vector that has been consistently exploited in various web application frameworks throughout the industry.