CVE-2018-5695 in WpJobBoard Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The WpJobBoard plugin 4.4.4 for WordPress allows SQL injection via the order or sort parameter to the wpjb-job or wpjb-alerts module, with a request to wp-admin/admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5695 affects the WpJobBoard plugin version 4.4.4 for WordPress, representing a critical SQL injection flaw that compromises the integrity of the underlying database system. This vulnerability specifically targets the wpjb-job and wpjb-alerts modules within the plugin's administrative interface, where user input is improperly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The attack vector occurs through the order or sort parameters within requests directed to the wp-admin/admin.php endpoint, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages the privileged administrative interface to execute malicious database commands.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter sanitization within the plugin's codebase. When administrators or authenticated users interact with the job board management features, the order and sort parameters are directly concatenated into SQL query strings without proper escaping or parameterization. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a condition where user-supplied data is incorporated into database queries without adequate sanitization. The vulnerability exists at the intersection of insecure data handling and privileged access, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate database operations through crafted HTTP requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary database commands including data retrieval, modification, deletion, and potentially even database schema manipulation. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive job listings, user credentials, application configuration data, and other confidential information stored within the WordPress database. The privilege escalation aspect becomes particularly concerning as the vulnerability targets the administrative interface, potentially allowing attackers to assume full administrative control over the WordPress installation, which could lead to complete system compromise and persistent backdoor establishment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5695 should prioritize immediate patching of the WpJobBoard plugin to version 4.4.5 or later, which addresses the SQL injection vulnerability through proper input sanitization and parameterized query implementation. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the wp-admin/admin.php endpoint to trusted IP addresses and establish comprehensive monitoring of administrative access patterns. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting administrative permissions to only essential personnel and implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation, emphasizing the need for robust database security practices and proper parameter handling in web development frameworks.