CVE-2015-9450 in plugmatter-optin-feature-box-lite Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The plugmatter-optin-feature-box-lite plugin before 2.0.14 for WordPress has SQL injection via the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=pmfb_cc pmfb_tid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2024
The CVE-2015-9450 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the plugmatter-optin-feature-box-lite WordPress plugin, affecting versions prior to 2.0.14. This vulnerability specifically targets the administrative AJAX endpoint at wp-admin/admin-ajax.php and exploits the pmfb_cc parameter within the pmfb_tid variable to execute malicious SQL commands. The flaw resides in the plugin's insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms, allowing unauthorized attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted malicious input. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper parameter sanitization that directly enables database manipulation through user-controllable inputs.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the WordPress AJAX handling system where the plugin fails to properly escape or validate the pmfb_tid parameter before incorporating it into SQL queries. Attackers can construct malicious payloads that manipulate the database structure, potentially leading to data extraction, modification, or complete database compromise. The vulnerability exists because the plugin does not implement proper prepared statements or input filtering for the specific parameter combination, creating a direct path for SQL injection attacks. This flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a critical weakness in application security.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9450 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can enable attackers to gain full administrative control over affected WordPress installations. An attacker could extract sensitive user credentials, modify content, install backdoors, or even escalate privileges to system-level access depending on the database configuration. The vulnerability affects WordPress sites using the affected plugin version, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread adoption of WordPress and its plugins. The attack vector through wp-admin/admin-ajax.php makes this vulnerability especially concerning as it operates through the standard WordPress administrative interface, potentially bypassing many traditional security measures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching to version 2.0.14 or later, which implements proper input validation and sanitization. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including web application firewalls, input validation at the application level, and monitoring for suspicious AJAX requests. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper parameter handling and input validation in WordPress plugin development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. Security professionals should also consider implementing database user privilege restrictions and regular security audits to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. Organizations using vulnerable plugin versions should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify potential compromise and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place for all WordPress components.