CVE-2024-1514 in WP eCommerce Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/28/2024
The WP eCommerce plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to time-based blind SQL Injection via the 'cart_contents' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 3.15.1 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 • 04/12/2026
The WP eCommerce plugin represents a widely used e-commerce solution for WordPress platforms, serving thousands of online stores worldwide. This particular vulnerability affects versions up to and including 3.15.1, creating a significant security risk for affected installations. The flaw manifests through improper input validation mechanisms within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data, specifically targeting the 'cart_contents' parameter that is processed during shopping cart operations. The vulnerability exists because the plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape user input before incorporating it into database queries, creating an avenue for malicious exploitation.
The technical implementation of this time-based blind SQL injection vulnerability stems from the plugin's insufficient parameter preparation and escaping mechanisms. When the 'cart_contents' parameter is processed, the application does not adequately filter or escape special characters that could alter the intended SQL query structure. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code that executes within the database context. The time-based nature of the injection means that attackers can infer database contents through response timing variations, where different query execution times reveal information about the underlying database structure and data. This technique eliminates the need for direct output reflection, making detection more difficult while still enabling comprehensive data extraction.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as unauthenticated attackers can leverage this weakness to extract sensitive information from affected WordPress installations. The compromised data may include customer information, order details, payment records, and potentially administrative credentials stored within the database. The vulnerability's reach is particularly concerning because it affects all versions up to 3.15.1, meaning that a substantial portion of users remain exposed to this risk. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation makes this vulnerability especially dangerous in environments where the plugin is widely deployed and accessible to the public.
Security professionals should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to the latest plugin version that addresses this vulnerability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from information repositories. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious SQL injection patterns and consider database query logging to detect anomalous behavior. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that all plugin components are properly updated and configured to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.