CVE-2023-0875 in WP Meta SEO Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2023
The WP Meta SEO WordPress plugin before 4.5.3 does not properly sanitize and escape inputs into SQL queries, leading to a blind SQL Injection vulnerability that can be exploited by subscriber+ users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2023
The WP Meta SEO WordPress plugin vulnerability CVE-2023-0875 represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress installations through improper input validation mechanisms. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data that flows into database queries, creating an exploitable path for malicious actors to manipulate backend database operations. The flaw specifically affects versions prior to 4.5.3, indicating that developers and system administrators must ensure timely updates to maintain security posture against known threats. The vulnerability's classification as a blind SQL injection attack means that attackers cannot directly observe query results but can infer information through indirect means such as response timing or conditional responses.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization and escaping of user inputs before they are incorporated into SQL queries within the plugin's codebase. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL code that executes within the context of the database connection, potentially enabling data exfiltration, modification, or deletion. The fact that this vulnerability is exploitable by users with subscriber-level privileges significantly amplifies its threat potential, as it lowers the barrier for exploitation and expands the potential attack surface. Attackers can leverage this weakness to escalate their privileges or access sensitive information without requiring administrator-level credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user registration is open or where subscribers have access to plugin functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-0875 extends beyond simple data compromise, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access points within affected systems. A successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, allowing attackers to extract user credentials, personal information, and other sensitive data stored within the WordPress installation. The blind nature of the injection means that attackers must employ sophisticated techniques to determine successful exploitation, including time-based attacks or conditional logic inference. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields for execution by the database, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. The vulnerability's exploitation path demonstrates how insufficient input validation can create cascading security issues that affect the entire application stack.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-0875 should prioritize immediate plugin version updates to 4.5.3 or later, which contain the necessary sanitization patches to prevent SQL injection attacks. System administrators should also implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious database query patterns and user behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper input validation at multiple layers, utilizing prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection, and restricting plugin functionality for lower-privilege users where possible. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify other potential vulnerabilities and ensure that all plugins and themes are regularly updated to maintain security compliance. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input sanitization and proper security practices in web application development, particularly for plugins that handle user data and interact with database systems.