CVE-2016-10887 in all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall plugin before 4.0.9 for WordPress has multiple SQL injection issues.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2023
The all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall plugin for WordPress contains critical SQL injection vulnerabilities that affect versions prior to 4.0.9, representing a significant threat to WordPress installations that rely on this security plugin for protection. These vulnerabilities arise from insufficient input validation and improper sanitization of user-supplied data within the plugin's core functionality, creating exploitable entry points for malicious actors seeking to compromise WordPress sites. The affected plugin, which serves as a comprehensive security solution for WordPress, becomes a vector for database compromise when vulnerable parameters are processed without adequate security measures.
The technical flaw manifests through multiple injection points where user input directly influences SQL query construction without proper escaping or parameterization. Attackers can manipulate query parameters through various interfaces within the plugin, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive database information including user credentials, site configurations, and other confidential data. This vulnerability type aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where insufficient sanitization of user inputs allows malicious SQL code to be executed within the database context. The exploitation of these vulnerabilities can lead to complete database compromise, allowing attackers to extract, modify, or delete sensitive information while potentially escalating privileges within the WordPress environment.
The operational impact of these SQL injection vulnerabilities extends beyond simple data theft, as they enable attackers to establish persistent access to compromised WordPress installations. Once exploited, attackers can manipulate the database to modify user accounts, inject malicious content, or create backdoor access points that maintain persistence across system reboots. The vulnerability affects the plugin's administrative interfaces and potentially its firewall functionality, creating a dangerous scenario where the security tool itself becomes a weapon for attackers. This represents a classic case of privilege escalation and lateral movement within the WordPress ecosystem, as demonstrated by ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1046 which covers network service scanning that can be facilitated through database compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching to version 4.0.9 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and parameterized query implementations. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and database access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while monitoring for anomalous database queries that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security professionals should conduct thorough audits of all installed WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities, as this issue reflects a broader pattern of insecure coding practices in third-party WordPress extensions. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security plugins and implementing automated patch management systems to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities, particularly those affecting security-critical components of web applications. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts targeting these types of injection vulnerabilities.