CVE-2024-13533 in Small Package Quotes Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/19/2025
The Small Package Quotes – USPS Edition plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the 'edit_id' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 1.3.5 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 • 02/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-13533 affects the Small Package Quotes – USPS Edition plugin for WordPress, a widely used e-commerce extension that integrates with the United States Postal Service for shipping calculations and quote generation. This particular flaw exists in all versions up to and including 1.3.5, representing a critical security weakness that has remained unpatched for an extended period. The plugin's functionality relies heavily on database interactions to store and retrieve shipping information, package details, and customer data, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit database vulnerabilities.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient input validation and sanitization of the 'edit_id' parameter within the plugin's SQL query execution process. This parameter is directly incorporated into database queries without proper escaping or parameterization techniques, creating a classic SQL injection vulnerability. The vulnerability stems from CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being included in SQL commands. The lack of proper input preparation means that attackers can manipulate the SQL queries by appending malicious SQL fragments to the existing database operations, effectively bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for WordPress sites utilizing the affected plugin. Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the WordPress database without requiring any valid credentials or user privileges. This allows for complete database enumeration, enabling attackers to extract sensitive information including user credentials, customer data, shipping records, and potentially other plugin-specific information. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it provides attackers with the capability to modify database contents, potentially leading to service disruption, data corruption, or even full system compromise. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.005 Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols and T1566.001 Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data through web-based attacks.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of the plugin to version 1.3.6 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify any other potentially vulnerable plugins or themes that may exhibit similar weaknesses. System administrators should implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, while also monitoring database logs for suspicious activity. The vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proper input validation and parameterized queries in preventing SQL injection attacks, aligning with industry best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to ensure that all WordPress plugins and themes maintain current security standards and that proper security hygiene is maintained throughout the web application ecosystem.