CVE-2022-1684 in Cube Slider Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/08/2022
The Cube Slider WordPress plugin through 1.2 does not sanitise and escape the idslider parameter before using it in various SQL queries, leading to SQL Injections exploitable by high privileged users such as admin
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2022
The Cube Slider WordPress plugin version 1.2 and earlier contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1684 that arises from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping practices. This vulnerability specifically affects the idslider parameter which is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper validation or sanitization measures. The flaw exists within the plugin's handling of user-supplied input that flows into database operations, creating an avenue for malicious exploitation by users with administrative privileges.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which represents one of the most severe classes of web application vulnerabilities according to the CWE database. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only high-privileged users such as administrators to exploit the vulnerability, significantly reducing the attack surface and increasing the potential impact. The plugin's failure to properly sanitize the idslider parameter before incorporating it into SQL queries demonstrates a critical oversight in input validation and output escaping mechanisms that violates fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the affected WordPress installation's database. This capability enables attackers to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, escalate privileges further within the application, or potentially gain unauthorized access to additional system resources. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal effort from attackers since it leverages existing administrative access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where admin credentials might be compromised or where privilege escalation is possible through other means.
The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers valid accounts and T1566.001 which addresses valid accounts as the primary attack vector. Organizations using this plugin are at risk of data breaches, unauthorized modifications to content, and potential complete compromise of their WordPress installations. The SQL injection vulnerability allows for extensive database manipulation that could include user credential theft, content manipulation, and establishment of persistent backdoors within the web application.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the Cube Slider plugin to version 1.3 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and output escaping of the idslider parameter. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as regular security audits, monitoring of database queries for unusual patterns, and implementation of web application firewalls that can detect and block SQL injection attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output escaping practices that should be enforced throughout all web applications to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.