CVE-2016-10916 in appointment-booking-calendar Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The appointment-booking-calendar plugin before 1.1.24 for WordPress has SQL injection, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-7319.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The CVE-2016-10916 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the appointment-booking-calendar plugin for WordPress, affecting versions prior to 1.1.24. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of insecure direct object reference attacks and demonstrates the persistent challenges organizations face when developing and maintaining web applications that handle user input. The flaw specifically manifests in how the plugin processes certain parameters within its database queries, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database operations through crafted input. Unlike CVE-2015-7319 which addressed a different SQL injection vector, this vulnerability maintains its own distinct attack surface and exploitation methodology. The issue is particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of WordPress as a content management platform, where plugins often serve as attack vectors due to their direct interaction with backend systems.
The technical exploitation of this SQL injection vulnerability occurs when user-supplied data is improperly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. Attackers can craft malicious inputs that alter the intended query structure, potentially allowing them to extract sensitive information from the database, modify existing records, or even delete entire datasets. The vulnerability typically arises from insufficient input validation and parameterized query implementation within the plugin's codebase, creating a direct pathway for database manipulation. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities, and represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege and input sanitization. The attack surface is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited by unauthenticated users, meaning that even visitors without administrative privileges can potentially leverage this vulnerability to compromise the underlying database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing potential system compromise and service disruption. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to customer appointment data, personal information, and potentially other sensitive records stored within the WordPress database. Organizations relying on this plugin may face regulatory compliance violations, data breach notifications, and significant reputational damage. The vulnerability also increases the risk of further attacks, as compromised data can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated exploitation attempts. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability provides a persistent access point that can be leveraged for reconnaissance, privilege escalation, or lateral movement within compromised networks. The impact is amplified when considering that many WordPress installations lack proper security monitoring and intrusion detection capabilities, making such attacks harder to detect and respond to effectively.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10916 focus primarily on immediate remediation through plugin updates to version 1.1.24 or later, which incorporates proper input validation and parameterized query implementations. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected plugin across their WordPress installations, as the vulnerability affects not just individual sites but potentially entire network infrastructures. Security hardening measures including input validation, output encoding, and database access controls should be implemented as part of a broader defensive strategy. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security audits and keeping all software components updated, as highlighted by ATT&CK technique T1190 which addresses exploitation of vulnerabilities in software applications. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation and database monitoring to detect anomalous query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, ensuring that security measures extend beyond simple patch management to include continuous monitoring and threat detection capabilities.