CVE-2023-48764 in Brute Force Protection Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/19/2023
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in GuardGiant Brute Force Protection WordPress Brute Force Protection – Stop Brute Force Attacks.This issue affects WordPress Brute Force Protection – Stop Brute Force Attacks: from n/a through 2.2.5.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-48764 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the GuardGiant Brute Force Protection WordPress plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through 2.2.5. This security weakness resides in the plugin's improper handling of user input within SQL command contexts, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute unauthorized database operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of input parameters that are directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization mechanisms. Such flaws typically arise when developers assume that user-supplied data can be safely concatenated into database queries without proper validation or encoding steps.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate SQL queries through specially crafted input that bypasses normal input validation checks. When the plugin processes user requests containing malicious SQL payloads, the unescaped input gets directly embedded into database commands, enabling attackers to extract sensitive information, modify database records, or potentially execute arbitrary commands on the underlying database system. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The flaw particularly affects the plugin's authentication and logging mechanisms where user credentials or session data might be processed through SQL queries without proper input sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could lead to complete database compromise and potential lateral movement within the affected WordPress environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access administrative interfaces, or extract sensitive user information including login credentials, personal data, and configuration details. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that this plugin is designed to protect against brute force attacks, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to undermine security controls. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers could use the compromised system to launch further attacks or establish persistence within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-48764 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that have addressed the SQL injection vulnerability through proper input validation and parameterized query implementation. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures including prepared statements, proper escaping functions, and thorough validation of all user-supplied data before database processing. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious SQL injection patterns. Security monitoring should include regular database query auditing and anomaly detection to identify potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process must also involve comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and code review to ensure that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other components of the WordPress installation or related plugins.