CVE-2023-49752 in Adifier Theme
Summary
by MITRE • 12/20/2023
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Spoon themes Adifier - Classified Ads WordPress Theme.This issue affects Adifier - Classified Ads WordPress Theme: from n/a before 3.1.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-49752 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Adifier - Classified Ads WordPress Theme, specifically impacting versions prior to 3.1.4. This weakness resides in the theme's improper handling of special elements within SQL commands, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through user input. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of input parameters that are directly incorporated into SQL statements without proper escaping or parameterization mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious input that alters the intended logic of database queries, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion within the WordPress environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests when user-supplied data enters the application's SQL execution path without adequate validation or sanitization. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code that can be executed by the database server, effectively bypassing authentication mechanisms and gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information. The flaw typically occurs in areas where the theme processes search queries, filter parameters, or user-generated content that gets directly embedded into database queries. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection due to improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL command construction. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting how attackers can leverage publicly accessible web applications to gain initial access and escalate privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-49752 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete compromise of the WordPress installation and underlying database infrastructure. Attackers may extract user credentials, personal information, classified advertisements, and other sensitive data stored within the application's database. The vulnerability also enables potential persistence mechanisms through database manipulation, allowing attackers to maintain long-term access to the compromised system. Additionally, the exploitation can lead to service disruption, data corruption, and potential lateral movement within the network if the compromised WordPress installation shares resources with other systems. Organizations running affected versions of the Adifier theme face significant risk of unauthorized access to classified advertising data and potential regulatory violations due to data exposure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-49752 primarily focus on upgrading to the patched version 3.1.4 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and parameterized query execution. System administrators should also implement additional protective measures including web application firewalls, input validation at multiple layers, and regular security assessments of WordPress themes and plugins. Database access controls should be reviewed to ensure least privilege principles are enforced, limiting the potential damage from successful exploitation. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability scans to identify any other instances of similar vulnerabilities within their WordPress installations and implement automated patch management processes to ensure timely updates. Regular monitoring of security advisories and maintaining updated security configurations form essential components of a robust defense strategy against SQL injection attacks targeting content management systems.