CVE-2017-1002009 in Membership Simplified Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in wordpress plugin Membership Simplified v1.58, The code in membership-simplified-for-oap-members-only/updateDB.php is vulnerable to blind SQL injection because it doesn't sanitize user input via recordId in the delete function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2019
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2017-1002009 affects the Membership Simplified for OAP Members Only plugin version 1.58 for WordPress, representing a critical security flaw that exposes the system to blind SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the updateDB.php file, specifically within the delete function that processes the recordId parameter. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates as a blind SQL injection, meaning that the attacker cannot directly see the database results but can infer information through indirect methods such as timing delays or conditional responses. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin's delete function receives the recordId parameter from user input without proper sanitization or validation. The updateDB.php script processes this unfiltered input directly within SQL queries, creating an environment where attackers can inject malicious SQL code. The blind nature of the injection means that the attacker must rely on indirect methods to determine if their payload was successful, often employing time-based techniques or observing application behavior changes. This particular vulnerability exists because the plugin fails to implement proper input validation, parameterized queries, or prepared statements that would normally prevent such injection attacks. The impact is significant as it allows for complete database compromise, potentially enabling attackers to extract sensitive information, modify user credentials, or even escalate privileges within the WordPress environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with a foothold for further exploitation within the WordPress ecosystem. Successful exploitation could lead to complete site compromise, user account takeovers, or the installation of backdoors for persistent access. The vulnerability affects any WordPress installation running the vulnerable plugin version, making it a widespread concern for administrators who have not updated their systems. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance on the database structure, extract user information, or manipulate membership data, potentially affecting thousands of users depending on the plugin's deployment scope. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to the integrity of the WordPress platform as a whole, since compromised plugins can serve as entry points for broader attacks against the entire web application infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1002009 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability, as the vendor has likely released patches to resolve the issue. System administrators should implement input validation and sanitization measures at multiple layers, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being processed in database queries. The implementation of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional monitoring and blocking capabilities for known attack patterns. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or custom code, while maintaining up-to-date security practices including regular patch management, secure coding standards, and comprehensive backup procedures to ensure rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation attempts.