CVE-2015-9467 in broken-link-manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The broken-link-manager plugin before 0.5.0 for WordPress has wpslDelURL or wpslEditURL SQL injection via the url parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2024
The broken-link-manager plugin for WordPress suffered from a critical SQL injection vulnerability that existed in versions prior to 050. This vulnerability specifically affected the plugin's handling of user-supplied input through the url parameter in two distinct functions: wpslDelURL and wpslEditURL. The flaw allowed attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the WordPress database by manipulating these parameters, potentially leading to complete database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability represents a classic SQL injection attack vector where insufficient input validation and sanitization permitted malicious SQL code to be executed within the database context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling within the plugin's backend functions. When users interacted with the plugin's delete or edit functionality, the url parameter was directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate sanitization or prepared statement usage. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is embedded into SQL queries. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where user input flows directly into database operations without proper security controls, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that rely on user-provided data for database interactions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within affected networks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive user credentials, manipulate database content, and potentially escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of all data stored within the WordPress database, including user accounts, posts, pages, and plugin configurations. Given that WordPress is widely deployed across various industries and organizations, this vulnerability could have affected thousands of websites, making it a significant concern for cybersecurity professionals and system administrators responsible for maintaining web application security.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to version 050 or later of the broken-link-manager plugin to remediate the SQL injection flaw. System administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and review database logs for evidence of unauthorized access. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and parameterized queries in preventing SQL injection attacks, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their WordPress installations, including plugin and theme reviews, to identify and remediate similar security flaws before they can be exploited by malicious actors.