CVE-2016-10947 in Post Indexer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The Post Indexer plugin before 3.0.6.2 for WordPress has SQL injection via the period parameter by a super admin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10947 affects the Post Indexer plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 3.0.6.2, creating a critical security flaw that allows for unauthorized SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the period parameter within the plugin's functionality, which is designed to handle time-based indexing of posts. The flaw enables a super administrator to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the WordPress database, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, particularly within the plugin's handling of temporal parameters used for post indexing operations. This represents a classic sql injection vulnerability that can be exploited by malicious actors with elevated privileges to manipulate database queries and extract sensitive information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when a super admin user submits a malicious value through the period parameter, which is then directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The Post Indexer plugin fails to properly escape or validate the period parameter before using it in database operations, creating an entry point for attackers to inject malicious SQL code. This flaw aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that mandate input validation and parameterized queries. The vulnerability can be exploited to retrieve, modify, or delete database records, potentially compromising all content managed by the WordPress installation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges within the WordPress environment. Since the vulnerability requires only super admin privileges to exploit, it represents a significant risk to WordPress installations where administrative accounts are compromised or where attackers can escalate privileges to administrative levels. The successful exploitation could lead to complete database compromise, allowing attackers to access user credentials, post content, configuration settings, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the WordPress environment. This vulnerability particularly affects WordPress sites that rely heavily on post indexing functionality and may be exploited in conjunction with other attacks to gain deeper system access. The impact is amplified by the fact that WordPress installations often contain sensitive data including user information, content management details, and configuration parameters that can be leveraged for further attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10947 focus primarily on immediate plugin updates to version 3.0.6.2 or later, which contain proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring of database queries and user activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability can be addressed through proper parameterization of database queries and implementing input validation that rejects malicious payloads. Security measures should include regular security audits of installed plugins, implementation of web application firewalls, and enforcement of least privilege principles for administrative accounts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect anomalous SQL query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated plugin to ensure compatibility with existing WordPress installations and functionality. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated and maintaining robust input validation practices across all application components, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications.