CVE-2024-12404 in CF Internal Link Shortcode
Summary
by MITRE • 01/11/2025
The CF Internal Link Shortcode plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the 'post_title' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 1.1.0 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers 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 • 01/11/2025
The CF Internal Link Shortcode plugin for WordPress represents a critical security vulnerability classified as CVE-2024-12404, affecting all versions up to and including 1.1.0. This vulnerability manifests as a SQL Injection flaw that exploits insufficient input validation and escaping mechanisms within the plugin's handling of user-supplied parameters. The specific parameter at risk is 'post_title' which serves as an entry point for malicious SQL commands. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize and prepare user input before incorporating it into database queries, creating a direct pathway for unauthorized database access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the 'post_title' parameter where unauthenticated attackers can inject malicious SQL code that gets appended to existing database queries. This flaw operates under CWE-89 which categorizes SQL Injection vulnerabilities as a result of inadequate input validation and improper query construction. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data extraction to potentially enable full database compromise, as attackers can construct complex queries to enumerate database schemas, extract user credentials, and access sensitive information stored within the WordPress installation. The lack of proper parameter preparation and input sanitization creates a fundamental breach in the application's database security controls.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to WordPress installations utilizing the affected plugin, as it requires no authentication to exploit and can be leveraged by anyone with access to the affected website. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that WordPress remains one of the most widely deployed content management systems globally, with millions of installations potentially vulnerable to this flaw. Attackers can use this vulnerability to extract user credentials, administrative access details, and other sensitive data stored in the WordPress database. The implications extend to potential data breaches, unauthorized content modification, and complete system compromise. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) as attackers may use the extracted information to further compromise the system or establish persistence.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-12404 must prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the SQL Injection vulnerability through proper input sanitization and parameterized queries. System administrators should implement additional security measures including web application firewalls, database query monitoring, and regular security audits of WordPress plugins. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and parameter preparation in database interactions, emphasizing that all user-supplied data must be treated as potentially malicious and properly escaped before database inclusion. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected plugins and ensure that all WordPress installations maintain up-to-date security patches. The remediation process should include monitoring for suspicious database queries and implementing least privilege database access controls to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.