CVE-2015-9448 in sendpress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The sendpress plugin before 1.2 for WordPress has SQL Injection via the wp-admin/admin.php?page=sp-queue listid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2023
The CVE-2015-9448 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw in the SendPress plugin for WordPress, affecting versions prior to 1.2. This vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface of the plugin, where the listid parameter in the wp-admin/admin.php?page=sp-queue URL path is not properly sanitized or validated. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the WordPress database, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of user input within the queue management functionality, where the listid parameter is directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate sanitization measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic SQL injection pattern where malicious input is passed through the listid parameter and concatenated directly into database queries. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specially formatted input that alters the intended SQL query structure, potentially extracting sensitive data, modifying database contents, or even executing system commands. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only administrative access to be exploited, which means that an attacker who has compromised an administrator account can leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges or gain deeper system access. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to manipulate the WordPress installation in numerous ways. Successful exploitation could result in the complete compromise of the WordPress site, including the ability to add new administrator accounts, modify existing user permissions, steal sensitive information such as user credentials and personal data, or even deploy malicious code throughout the affected system. The vulnerability affects not just the plugin's functionality but potentially the entire WordPress installation, as the compromised database could contain critical system information, user authentication details, and other sensitive data. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where WordPress sites often serve as critical business platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9448 should focus on immediate patching of the SendPress plugin to version 1.2 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and sanitization measures within their WordPress installations, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being incorporated into database queries. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense, though they should not replace proper code-level fixes. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of keeping all WordPress plugins updated and following secure coding practices that prevent SQL injection attacks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1190 for exploitation of remote services. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or custom code implementations.