CVE-2015-9449 in microblog-poster Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The microblog-poster plugin before 1.6.2 for WordPress has SQL Injection via the wp-admin/options-general.php?page=microblogposter.php account_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2023
The CVE-2015-9449 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the microblog-poster plugin for wordpress systems prior to version 1.6.2. This vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface of the plugin where users can configure their social media posting accounts. The flaw exists in the account_id parameter handling within the wp-admin/options-general.php?page=microblogposter.php endpoint, which processes user input without proper sanitization or validation mechanisms. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands that can be executed against the underlying database, potentially compromising the entire wordpress installation and the data it contains.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard sql injection attack patterns where an attacker crafts malicious input that manipulates the sql query execution flow. When the account_id parameter is processed, the plugin fails to implement proper input validation or parameterized queries, creating an environment where sql commands can be injected and executed with the privileges of the web application. This vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws, and it aligns with attack techniques documented in the mitre att&ck framework under the command and control phase where attackers establish persistent access through database compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft as it provides attackers with potential full administrative control over the compromised wordpress site. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized modification of content, complete site defacement, data exfiltration, or the installation of backdoors for persistent access. The vulnerability affects wordpress installations that rely on the microblog-poster plugin for social media integration, making it particularly dangerous for sites that handle sensitive information or require high availability. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain access to user credentials, personal information, and other sensitive data stored within the wordpress database.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9449 primarily involve immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 1.6.2 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and parameterized query execution. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block sql injection attempts, regular security audits of installed plugins, and monitoring of administrative access logs for suspicious activity. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping all wordpress components updated and following secure coding practices such as input validation, parameterized queries, and principle of least privilege access controls. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify and remediate similar issues across their wordpress installations and maintain comprehensive backup strategies to ensure rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation.