CVE-2022-1014 in WP Contacts Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/23/2022
The WP Contacts Manager WordPress plugin through 2.2.4 fails to properly sanitize user supplied POST data before it is being interpolated in an SQL statement and then executed, leading to an SQL injection vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2022
The WP Contacts Manager WordPress plugin version 2.2.4 and earlier contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability that arises from insufficient input sanitization of user-supplied POST data. This flaw exists within the plugin's database interaction mechanisms where unfiltered user input is directly interpolated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization. The vulnerability represents a classic case of improper input validation and sanitization that allows malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted POST requests.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, specifically manifesting as an improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands. The flaw occurs when the plugin processes user-submitted data through POST parameters and incorporates this data directly into SQL statement construction without appropriate sanitization measures. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious POST requests that contain SQL payload sequences designed to manipulate the database query execution flow. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the database level, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information, data modification, or even complete database compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. When exploited successfully, the SQL injection allows adversaries to extract confidential information from the database including user credentials, personal contact details, and potentially administrative access credentials. The vulnerability affects all WordPress installations using the affected plugin version, making it a widespread concern for website administrators who have not yet updated to patched versions. Additionally, the attack surface is broad since the vulnerability can be triggered through various plugin interfaces that accept user input.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the WP Contacts Manager plugin to version 2.2.5 or later, which contains the necessary sanitization fixes. System administrators should also implement proper input validation and parameterized query execution patterns throughout their WordPress installations. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers, though they should not replace proper code-level fixes. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization practices and proper database query construction as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework's command and control techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect anomalous query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments are essential to identify similar issues in other plugins or custom code implementations that may present similar sanitization weaknesses.