CVE-2021-24951 in LearnPress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/13/2021
The LearnPress WordPress plugin before 4.1.4 does not sanitise, validate and escape the id parameter before using it in SQL statements when duplicating course/lesson/quiz/question, leading to SQL Injections issues
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2021
The CVE-2021-24951 vulnerability affects the LearnPress WordPress plugin version 4.1.3 and earlier, representing a critical SQL injection flaw that arises from insufficient input sanitization and validation processes. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the plugin handles the duplication of course, lesson, quiz, or question elements through the id parameter. The flaw occurs because the plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to manipulate database operations through crafted input values. The vulnerability resides in the plugin's core functionality for content duplication, which is a common administrative operation that should be secure against injection attacks. This issue directly violates fundamental security principles for database interaction and input handling, as the plugin does not implement proper parameterized queries or input validation mechanisms before executing database operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a standard SQL injection attack pattern where an attacker can manipulate the id parameter to inject malicious SQL code into database queries. When users attempt to duplicate learning content through the LearnPress interface, the plugin processes the id parameter without adequate sanitization, allowing attackers to inject SQL commands that can execute arbitrary database operations. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even gain unauthorized access to the underlying database system. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the duplication functionality is a core administrative feature, making it accessible to authenticated users with appropriate privileges, though the vulnerability could potentially be exploited by attackers with lower privileges if proper access controls are not in place.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-24951 extends beyond simple data corruption or unauthorized access, as it represents a significant threat to the integrity and confidentiality of learning management data. Organizations using LearnPress for educational content management face potential exposure of sensitive student information, course materials, and administrative data if this vulnerability is exploited. The SQL injection could enable attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, escalate privileges within the WordPress environment, or perform destructive operations on the database. The vulnerability affects not just individual course content but potentially entire learning management systems, as the plugin's database interactions could be leveraged to compromise broader system integrity. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of a larger attack chain that could lead to complete system compromise, particularly when combined with other vulnerabilities in the WordPress ecosystem. The impact is compounded by the fact that the vulnerability affects a widely used plugin, making it a prime target for automated exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-24951 should prioritize immediate patching of the LearnPress plugin to version 4.1.4 or later, which contains the necessary sanitization and validation fixes. System administrators should implement network-level monitoring to detect unusual SQL query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around the plugin's duplication endpoints. The implementation of proper input validation at multiple layers including application-level parameter sanitization and database-level query preparation should be enforced. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for SQL injection patterns. Additionally, regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other installed components. Access controls should be reviewed to ensure that only authorized personnel can perform duplication operations, and logging should be enhanced to track all database operations related to content duplication. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against injection attacks across all application components.