CVE-2024-1317 in RSS Aggregator
Summary
by MITRE • 02/29/2024
The RSS Aggregator by Feedzy – Feed to Post, Autoblogging, News & YouTube Video Feeds Aggregator plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the ‘search_key’ parameter in all versions up to, and including, 4.4.2 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor access and above, 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 • 04/12/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1317 affects the RSS Aggregator by Feedzy plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 4.4.2. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of database operations within the WordPress ecosystem. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the plugin's codebase, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors with relatively low privileges. The affected parameter 'search_key' serves as the primary attack vector, where user-supplied input is not properly escaped before being incorporated into SQL queries. This failure in input handling creates a direct pathway for SQL injection attacks, which fall under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89, specifically categorized as improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker possessing contributor-level privileges or higher, which significantly reduces the barrier to successful exploitation compared to attacks requiring administrator access. Once authenticated, the attacker can manipulate the 'search_key' parameter to inject malicious SQL code into existing database queries. This injection capability allows for the execution of unauthorized database operations, potentially enabling data extraction, modification, or deletion of sensitive information stored within the WordPress database. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it operates within a widely used plugin that facilitates content aggregation and autoblogging functionalities, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise content management systems. The lack of proper SQL query preparation and parameter binding creates an environment where malicious input can seamlessly blend into legitimate database operations, making detection more challenging for security monitoring systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges within the WordPress environment or extract comprehensive information about the site's structure and user data. Attackers can leverage the SQL injection to enumerate database tables, extract user credentials, and potentially access sensitive configuration data that could facilitate further attacks on the broader WordPress infrastructure. The vulnerability's presence in a plugin designed for feed aggregation and content management creates additional risks, as compromised systems could be used to distribute malicious content or serve as entry points for attacks on connected services. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1566.001, concerning credential harvesting through various attack vectors. The exploitation process follows standard SQL injection patterns where the attacker appends additional SQL commands to existing queries, potentially allowing for union-based attacks or time-based blind injection techniques to extract data through carefully crafted input sequences.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-1317 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability, as this represents the most direct and effective remediation approach. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures across all user-supplied parameters, ensuring that all external inputs are properly escaped before being incorporated into database queries. The implementation of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be mandatory for any database interactions, eliminating the possibility of SQL injection through improper input handling. Additionally, access control measures should be reinforced to limit the privileges of users who can submit content, as the vulnerability requires at least contributor-level access to exploit. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that all WordPress plugins and themes maintain current security standards. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining comprehensive backup strategies and incident response procedures, as SQL injection attacks can result in significant data compromise that requires immediate containment and recovery measures.