CVE-2017-15919 in ultimate-form-builder-lite Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The ultimate-form-builder-lite plugin before 1.3.7 for WordPress has SQL Injection, with resultant PHP Object Injection, via wp-admin/admin-ajax.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2019
The CVE-2017-15919 vulnerability affects the ultimate-form-builder-lite WordPress plugin version prior to 1.3.7, presenting a critical security risk that combines SQL injection with PHP object injection. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's administrative AJAX handling mechanism at wp-admin/admin-ajax.php, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages WordPress's built-in administrative interface for exploitation. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate input parameters that are not properly sanitized or validated before being processed by the plugin's backend functions.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves crafting malicious input through the AJAX endpoint that ultimately leads to database query manipulation and object injection. When the plugin processes user-supplied data through the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php handler, it fails to adequately validate or escape parameters before incorporating them into SQL queries. This creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that can extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even execute arbitrary code on the affected WordPress installation. The PHP object injection aspect occurs when serialized objects are improperly handled, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate object states and execute unintended code within the application context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can lead to complete compromise of WordPress installations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, establish persistent backdoors, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative interface, which typically has elevated privileges and access to sensitive system functions. This allows attackers to potentially gain full control over the WordPress site, modify content, steal user credentials, or use the compromised system for malicious activities such as spam distribution or as a command and control server.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15919 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 1.3.7 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address both the SQL injection and PHP object injection vectors. Organizations should also implement input validation and sanitization measures at multiple layers, including web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious AJAX requests. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 for SQL injection and CWE-502 for PHP object injection, representing common attack patterns that have been extensively documented in security frameworks. Additionally, following ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1071.004 for application layer protocol and T1190 for exploit public-facing application can help security teams detect and respond to similar threats. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins, especially those with administrative functionality, should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in the wild.