CVE-2022-4357 in LetsRecover Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/03/2023
The LetsRecover WordPress plugin through 1.1.0 does not properly sanitise and escape a parameter before using it in a SQL statement via an AJAX action available to unauthenticated users, leading to a SQL injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2023
The LetsRecover WordPress plugin version 1.1.0 contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability that arises from inadequate input sanitization and escaping mechanisms. This flaw exists within the plugin's AJAX handler functionality, which is designed to process user requests without requiring authentication. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into database queries, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers. The affected parameter is processed through an AJAX endpoint that lacks proper security controls, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the database query execution flow. This vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient input validation where user-controllable data directly influences the structure of SQL statements without adequate sanitization measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when an unauthenticated user submits a crafted request to the plugin's AJAX handler endpoint. The plugin receives the parameter through the HTTP request and directly incorporates it into a SQL query without proper escaping or sanitization procedures. This pattern violates fundamental security principles for database interactions and creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the underlying database operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates through an AJAX interface that is accessible to anyone without authentication, meaning that malicious actors can exploit this flaw without requiring valid credentials or administrative privileges. The lack of proper parameter validation allows attackers to inject SQL syntax elements that can alter the intended query behavior, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion.
The operational impact of this SQL injection vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can enable attackers to perform extensive database manipulation operations. Successful exploitation could allow threat actors to extract sensitive information from the WordPress database, including user credentials, personal data, and administrative access details. The vulnerability also permits potential data corruption or deletion activities that could compromise the integrity and availability of the affected WordPress installation. Additionally, attackers could leverage this weakness as a stepping stone for further compromise, potentially escalating privileges or establishing persistent access within the compromised environment. The vulnerability affects all WordPress installations using the LetsRecover plugin version 1.1.0 or earlier, making it a widespread concern for website administrators who have not updated their plugin installations.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate plugin updates to the latest version where the SQL injection flaw has been addressed. System administrators must ensure that all WordPress plugins are regularly updated to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities, as this represents a common attack vector used by threat actors. The fix typically involves implementing proper input sanitization and parameterized queries to prevent malicious SQL code from being executed. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper database query construction practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other security frameworks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other plugins and themes that may present similar security risks.