CVE-2023-49825 in Soledad Theme
Summary
by MITRE • 12/20/2023
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in PenciDesign Soledad – Multipurpose, Newspaper, Blog & WooCommerce WordPress Theme.This issue affects Soledad – Multipurpose, Newspaper, Blog & WooCommerce WordPress Theme: from n/a through 8.4.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the PenciDesign Soledad WordPress theme that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through improperly sanitized user input. The weakness occurs when the theme fails to adequately neutralize special elements in sql commands, creating an entry point for malicious actors to execute unauthorized database operations. This particular vulnerability affects versions from an unspecified starting point through 8.4.1, indicating a prolonged period during which the theme remained susceptible to this type of attack vector. The flaw specifically manifests in the theme's handling of sql commands where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterization mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard sql injection attack patterns where an attacker can inject malicious sql code through input fields that are processed by the theme's database functions. This occurs when the theme's code fails to implement proper input validation and sanitization techniques, allowing special characters such as single quotes, semicolons, or comment markers to be interpreted as sql syntax rather than literal data. The vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands, making it a well-documented and dangerous class of vulnerability that has been consistently exploited in web application attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete database compromise and potential system takeover. Attackers could leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and administrative access details stored within the wordpress database. The vulnerability also enables attackers to modify or delete database content, potentially causing significant disruption to website operations and data integrity. Given that this affects a widely used wordpress theme, the potential attack surface is extensive, with numerous websites potentially impacted depending on their version of the theme and associated plugins or custom code. The vulnerability could also serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation or lateral movement within compromised networks where the wordpress installation resides.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the affected theme to version 8.4.2 or later where the sql injection flaw has been addressed. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout their wordpress installations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. The use of web application firewalls and sql injection detection mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection while patches are deployed. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application which represents the initial compromise phase where attackers target vulnerable web applications to gain unauthorized access. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in the broader wordpress ecosystem. The remediation process should also include reviewing custom theme modifications and third-party plugins that may interact with the vulnerable code paths to ensure comprehensive protection against sql injection attacks.