CVE-2016-10917 in search-everything Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The search-everything plugin before 8.1.6 for WordPress has SQL injection related to empty search strings, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-2316.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The CVE-2016-10917 vulnerability affects the search-everything plugin for WordPress versions prior to 8.1.6, presenting a critical SQL injection flaw that specifically targets empty search string handling. This vulnerability represents a distinct threat vector from CVE-2014-2316, indicating that attackers can exploit the plugin's search functionality when users submit empty search queries. The flaw arises from inadequate input sanitization within the plugin's search processing logic, where empty string parameters are not properly escaped or validated before being incorporated into database queries. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through the search interface, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data or executing destructive operations on the underlying database.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly handle edge cases in search parameter processing. When an empty search string is submitted, the plugin's code path does not adequately sanitize the input before constructing SQL queries, creating an injection point that can be exploited by attackers. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate search functionality of the WordPress platform, making it more difficult to detect and block through traditional security measures. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when processed through the vulnerable plugin, execute arbitrary SQL commands with the privileges of the database user account used by the WordPress application. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands as a primary weakness in database applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable complete database compromise and potentially full system takeover. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can extract user credentials, sensitive configuration data, and other critical information stored in the WordPress database. The attack surface is particularly wide given that WordPress is one of the most widely deployed content management systems globally, making the search-everything plugin vulnerable installations widespread. The exploitation process typically involves crafting search queries that contain SQL injection payloads, which are then processed by the vulnerable plugin and executed against the database. This vulnerability can also facilitate privilege escalation attacks, where attackers use the SQL injection to gain higher-level database access permissions. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers often probe for such vulnerabilities during reconnaissance phases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10917 primarily focus on immediate plugin updates to version 8.1.6 or later, which contain the necessary code fixes to properly sanitize search parameters. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all WordPress plugins remain current with security updates. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block SQL injection attempts, applying input validation rules at the application level, and configuring database user accounts with minimal required privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect anomalous SQL query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and parameterized queries in preventing SQL injection attacks, reinforcing security best practices that align with OWASP Top Ten categories and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include verification of plugin security to prevent similar vulnerabilities from remaining undetected in production environments.