CVE-2023-0381 in GigPress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/27/2023
The GigPress WordPress plugin through 2.3.28 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before using them in SQL statement/s, which could allow any authenticated users, such as subscriber to perform SQL Injection attacks
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2023
The GigPress WordPress plugin version 2.3.28 and earlier contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability that affects authenticated users with subscriber-level privileges or higher. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of shortcode attributes within the plugin's codebase. The flaw specifically occurs when the plugin processes user-supplied data through its shortcode functionality without proper escaping or validation before incorporating it into SQL queries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's failure to sanitize user inputs that are passed through shortcode parameters. When authenticated users submit data via shortcode attributes, the plugin directly incorporates this unsanitized data into database queries without appropriate escaping mechanisms. This creates an environment where malicious actors can manipulate the SQL execution flow by injecting malicious SQL code through carefully crafted shortcode parameters. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it does not require administrative privileges, making it accessible to any user account with subscriber-level permissions or higher.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables authenticated attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including data extraction, data modification, and potential privilege escalation within the affected WordPress environment. Attackers could potentially access sensitive information stored in the database, modify event listings, or even gain deeper access to the WordPress installation. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as the vulnerability could be leveraged to compromise the entire WordPress instance if combined with other exploitation techniques. The fact that this affects the core database interaction mechanisms makes it particularly dangerous for event management websites that rely heavily on database integrity.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving command and control communications and privilege escalation through database manipulation. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of the GigPress plugin to version 2.3.29 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation measures and monitoring for unusual database query patterns can serve as additional defensive controls. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls should also be enforced to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes remain essential for maintaining overall system security posture.
The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in web applications, particularly when dealing with user-supplied data that gets processed through database operations. This case highlights how even seemingly minor oversights in code validation can create significant security risks that affect the entire application ecosystem. Organizations should implement comprehensive security testing procedures that include dynamic analysis of plugin functionality and regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.