CVE-2017-12199 in Ultimate Product Catalog Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The Etoile Ultimate Product Catalog plugin 4.2.11 for WordPress has SQL injection with these wp-admin/admin-ajax.php POST actions: catalogue_update_order list-item, video_update_order video-item, image_update_order list-item, tag_group_update_order list_item, category_products_update_order category-product-item, custom_fields_update_order field-item, categories_update_order category-item, subcategories_update_order subcategory-item, and tags_update_order tag-list-item.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2019
The CVE-2017-12199 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Etoile Ultimate Product Catalog plugin version 4.2.11 for WordPress systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's administrative AJAX endpoint located at wp-admin/admin-ajax.php, which serves as a communication interface between the WordPress backend and frontend. The flaw affects multiple POST actions that handle ordering operations for various product catalog elements including catalogs, videos, images, tags, categories, custom fields, and subcategories. The vulnerability exists because the plugin fails to properly sanitize and validate user input parameters before incorporating them into database queries, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and parameter sanitization within the plugin's AJAX handling mechanisms. When administrators or authenticated users perform ordering operations through the WordPress admin interface, the plugin processes these requests through the vulnerable admin-ajax.php endpoint. The affected POST actions include catalogue_update_order list-item, video_update_order video-item, and numerous similar operations that manage the hierarchical ordering of catalog elements. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious payloads that manipulate the order parameters, allowing them to execute unauthorized database queries with elevated privileges. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization. The attack vector operates through the standard WordPress AJAX framework, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate administrative functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform complete database compromise. Successful exploitation could enable unauthorized users to extract sensitive information including user credentials, product data, and potentially other WordPress configuration details. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire WordPress installation, as attackers could manipulate the product catalog ordering to hide malicious entries or disrupt normal operations. Additionally, the attack could lead to privilege escalation within the WordPress environment, potentially allowing attackers to gain administrative control over the site. This type of vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1046 which covers network service scanning, as attackers would need to identify and exploit the specific AJAX endpoints to achieve their objectives.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12199 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 proper input validation at multiple layers including web application firewall rules that monitor for suspicious SQL patterns in AJAX requests. The WordPress security hardening measures should include restricting access to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php through authentication controls and monitoring for unusual ordering operations. Regular security audits should verify that all WordPress plugins are up to date and that proper sanitization procedures are implemented for all user inputs. Organizations should also implement database query logging and monitoring to detect anomalous SQL execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing the principle of least privilege for WordPress administrative accounts and conducting regular security assessments can significantly reduce the risk of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper parameter validation in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of all plugin components within WordPress environments.