CVE-2016-11018 in gallery-images Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the Huge-IT gallery-images plugin before 1.9.0 for WordPress. The headers Client-Ip and X-Forwarded-For are prone to unauthenticated SQL injection. The affected file is gallery-images.php. The affected function is huge_it_image_gallery_ajax_callback().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2016-11018 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in the Huge-IT gallery-images WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.9.0. This security weakness resides within the gallery-images.php file and manifests through the huge_it_image_gallery_ajax_callback() function, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors targeting WordPress installations. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization of HTTP headers, particularly the Client-Ip and X-Forwarded-For headers that are commonly used in web server configurations to identify client IP addresses. These headers are typically passed through proxy servers and load balancers, making them integral components in web application architecture, yet they become dangerous when not properly validated.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unauthenticated SQL injection attacks that leverage the improperly handled HTTP headers. Attackers can craft malicious requests that inject arbitrary SQL code into the database query execution flow by manipulating the Client-Ip or X-Forwarded-For header values. This allows unauthorized individuals to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the WordPress database without requiring valid authentication credentials, potentially leading to complete database compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in application security, and represents a classic example of how insecure input handling can create persistent security risks in web applications. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates entirely through HTTP headers, bypassing traditional authentication mechanisms and making it difficult to detect through standard security monitoring.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable complete system compromise and persistent access to affected WordPress installations. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to extract sensitive user credentials, modify or delete database content, inject malicious code into the web application, and potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative control over the entire WordPress environment. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that any user with access to the affected WordPress site can potentially exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the plugin is widely deployed. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications, and represents a common attack pattern that has been documented in numerous security assessments and penetration testing reports.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-11018 primarily involve immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 1.9.0 or later, where the SQL injection vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures that sanitize all HTTP headers before processing them within the application, particularly focusing on the Client-Ip and X-Forwarded-For headers. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by monitoring for suspicious header values and blocking known malicious patterns. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected plugins and themes, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date WordPress installations and implementing proper security hardening practices. Regular security auditing of third-party plugins and maintaining detailed inventory of all installed components can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from compromising the overall security posture of WordPress environments.