CVE-2021-24747 in SEO Booster Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/13/2021
The SEO Booster WordPress plugin through 3.7 allows for authenticated SQL injection via the "fn_my_ajaxified_dataloader_ajax" AJAX request as the $_REQUEST['order'][0]['dir'] parameter is not properly escaped leading to blind and error-based SQL injections.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2021
The CVE-2021-24747 vulnerability affects the SEO Booster WordPress plugin version 3.7 and earlier, representing a critical authentication bypass and SQL injection flaw that exposes WordPress sites to significant operational risks. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's AJAX handling mechanism, where the fn_my_ajaxified_dataloader_ajax endpoint processes user input without adequate sanitization. The flaw manifests through the $_REQUEST['order'][0]['dir'] parameter, which becomes the primary attack vector for malicious actors who can manipulate this value to inject malicious SQL commands into the database layer. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access to the WordPress administrative interface, meaning that an attacker with valid user credentials can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary database queries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the plugin's data processing pipeline. When the AJAX request is submitted with manipulated order parameters, the plugin fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This creates both blind and error-based SQL injection opportunities, allowing attackers to extract sensitive information from the database, modify content, or potentially escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it operates through the standard WordPress AJAX framework, making it difficult to detect through conventional security monitoring.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-24747 extends beyond simple data exfiltration, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the WordPress database and potentially the underlying server infrastructure. Successful exploitation could lead to complete site compromise, data manipulation, user credential theft, and the installation of backdoors or malware. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations where the SEO Booster plugin is active, making it a widespread concern across numerous websites. Organizations running vulnerable versions of this plugin face potential regulatory compliance violations, reputational damage, and financial losses due to potential data breaches. The vulnerability's presence in the AJAX handling component also means that it can be exploited through automated tools, increasing the attack velocity and reducing the time available for detection and response.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-24747 should prioritize immediate patching of the SEO Booster plugin to version 3.8 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures, including parameterized queries and proper escaping of all user-supplied data before database processing. Network monitoring solutions should be enhanced to detect anomalous AJAX request patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected plugin across their WordPress installations and implement additional access controls such as role-based permissions and multi-factor authentication. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following ATT&CK framework principles for defensive measures, particularly focusing on privilege escalation and credential access tactics that attackers may employ through such injection flaws. Regular security audits and automated scanning tools should be deployed to identify similar vulnerabilities in other WordPress plugins and themes, ensuring a comprehensive approach to WordPress security management.