CVE-2024-10499 in AI Engine Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
The AI Engine WordPress plugin before 2.6.5 does not sanitize and escape a parameter from one of its RESP API endpoint before using it in a SQL statement, allowing admins to perform SQL injection attacks
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-10499 affects the AI Engine WordPress plugin version 2.6.4 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of database operations within the WordPress ecosystem. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization practices within the plugin's REST API endpoints, specifically targeting a parameter that flows directly into SQL execution contexts without proper escaping mechanisms. The issue manifests when administrative users interact with the plugin's API endpoints, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the weakness through carefully crafted payloads that manipulate database queries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection flaws as weaknesses in software that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input. The flaw occurs because the plugin fails to implement proper parameterized queries or adequate input sanitization routines before incorporating user-supplied data into SQL statements. When an administrator accesses the affected REST API endpoint, the vulnerable parameter is directly concatenated into SQL query strings without appropriate escaping or validation, creating an exploitable condition that enables attackers to inject malicious SQL code. This design flaw represents a classic example of insecure data handling practices that violate fundamental security principles for database interactions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges within the affected WordPress environment. Since the vulnerability requires administrative access to exploit, it represents a privilege escalation vector that allows attackers who have already gained administrative credentials to perform more extensive database operations. The potential consequences include unauthorized data extraction, modification of sensitive information, creation of backdoor accounts, and possible lateral movement within the compromised WordPress installation. The vulnerability's exploitation directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the security model of the WordPress platform, potentially affecting not just the plugin's data but the entire WordPress database infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-10499 should prioritize immediate patching of the AI Engine plugin to version 2.6.5 or later, which contains the necessary sanitization and escaping mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network-level monitoring to detect suspicious API access patterns and SQL injection attempts, particularly targeting the affected REST endpoints. Security teams should conduct thorough audit reviews of all WordPress plugins to identify similar sanitization issues, implementing automated scanning tools to detect vulnerable code patterns. Additionally, administrators should enforce strict access controls and monitoring of administrative accounts, as the vulnerability requires elevated privileges to exploit, making account compromise prevention crucial. The remediation process should include verifying that all plugin updates are properly applied and testing the patched environment to ensure no regression issues affect functionality, while also establishing continuous security monitoring protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts.