CVE-2023-3023 in WP EasyCart Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2023
The WP EasyCart plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to time-based SQL Injection via the ‘orderby’ parameter in versions up to, and including, 5.4.10 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrator-level or above permissions, to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2026
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2023-3023 affects the WP EasyCart plugin for WordPress, specifically versions up to and including 5.4.10, presenting a critical time-based SQL injection flaw that can be exploited by authenticated attackers with administrator-level privileges or higher. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and insufficient parameter preparation within the plugin's database query execution process. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates through the 'orderby' parameter, which is commonly used in WordPress plugin functionality to control data sorting and display order. When an attacker manipulates this parameter, the plugin fails to properly escape or prepare the input before incorporating it into SQL queries, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious SQL injection attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through time-based SQL injection techniques that allow attackers to infer database contents by measuring response times from the server. This method relies on the database engine's behavior of pausing execution when certain conditions are met, enabling attackers to extract information character by character through carefully crafted SQL payloads. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 as SQL injection, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from information repositories, specifically targeting database systems. The lack of proper input validation and parameter binding means that malicious SQL code can be appended to existing queries, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive information including user credentials, database schema details, and other confidential data stored within the WordPress installation's database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for WordPress sites utilizing the affected WP EasyCart plugin, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform unauthorized data extraction and potentially escalate their privileges within the system. Attackers with administrator-level access can leverage this vulnerability to gain comprehensive knowledge of the database structure and contents, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects not only the integrity of the WordPress installation but also the confidentiality and availability of data stored within the plugin's database tables. Organizations running vulnerable versions face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to user accounts, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure through the extracted database information. The time-based nature of the injection makes detection more challenging for security monitoring systems, as the malicious queries may appear as legitimate database operations during normal traffic analysis.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-3023 should prioritize immediate patching of the WP EasyCart plugin to version 5.4.11 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and parameter preparation mechanisms. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring of database query logs to detect anomalous patterns that may indicate SQL injection attempts, particularly focusing on queries containing unexpected time delays or unusual parameter combinations. Network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to flag suspicious database access patterns and parameter manipulation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege management ensures that only authorized administrators can modify plugin settings, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions to provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate other potential SQL injection vulnerabilities within the WordPress ecosystem and related applications.