CVE-2018-18018 in Tribulant Slideshow Gallery Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
SQL Injection exists in the Tribulant Slideshow Gallery plugin 1.6.8 for WordPress via the wp-admin/admin.php?page=slideshow-galleries&method=save Gallery[id] or Gallery[title] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2023
The Tribulant Slideshow Gallery plugin for WordPress versions up to 1.6.8 contains a critical sql injection vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database. This vulnerability specifically affects the administrative interface of the plugin where users can manage slideshow galleries through the wp-admin/admin.php endpoint. The flaw manifests when processing the Gallery[id] or Gallery[title] parameters, which are not properly sanitized before being incorporated into sql queries. The vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of user-supplied input within the save method of the slideshow galleries management interface, creating a direct path for sql injection attacks that can compromise the entire wordpress installation.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of sql injection as defined by the common weakness enumeration framework, representing a classic case where user input is directly concatenated into sql commands without proper validation or sanitization. The attack vector operates through the administrative panel where authenticated users with sufficient privileges can manipulate the Gallery[id] or Gallery[title] parameters to inject malicious sql payloads. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a command and control technique under the T1059.008 sub-technique for sql injection, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary commands on the database server. The impact is particularly severe because the administrative interface typically operates with elevated privileges, allowing attackers to potentially gain full database access and execute destructive operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data extraction to include complete database compromise, potential data modification or deletion, and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the wordpress installation. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, modify or delete slideshow gallery configurations, access user credentials stored in the database, or even inject malicious code into the wordpress environment. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the slideshow gallery management system, potentially disrupting the normal operation of websites that rely on this plugin for content presentation. Given that wordpress is one of the most widely used content management systems, the potential attack surface is extensive, with thousands of vulnerable installations potentially accessible to threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the Tribulant Slideshow Gallery plugin to version 1.6.9 or later, which contains the necessary sql injection protections. System administrators should implement proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly within administrative interfaces where sql queries are constructed. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting administrative access to only authorized personnel and implementing additional authentication measures such as two-factor authentication. Database access controls should be reviewed to ensure that wordpress database accounts have minimal required permissions, preventing potential escalation of privileges if sql injection occurs. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other plugins or themes that may be vulnerable to sql injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide an additional layer of protection against sql injection attempts targeting wordpress installations.