CVE-2024-2344 in Avada Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/10/2024
The Avada theme for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the 'entry' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 7.11.6 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for authenticted attackers, with editor-level 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 • 05/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-2344 affects the Avada theme for WordPress, representing a critical SQL injection flaw that undermines database security. This weakness exists in all versions up to and including 7.11.6, making it a widespread concern for WordPress installations using this popular theme. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and insufficient parameter preparation within the theme's codebase, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors who possess editor-level privileges or higher.
The technical flaw manifests through the 'entry' parameter which lacks proper escaping mechanisms before being incorporated into SQL queries. This insufficient sanitization allows attackers to manipulate the existing database queries by appending malicious SQL code to the legitimate operations. The vulnerability specifically targets authenticated users with editor-level access or greater, as they possess the necessary permissions to interact with the affected functionality. This access level requirement reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the severity of the issue, as editors typically have broad capabilities within WordPress environments.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables authenticated attackers to extract sensitive information from the underlying database through carefully crafted SQL injection payloads. The compromised data could include user credentials, personal information, configuration details, and other confidential data stored within the WordPress installation. The ability to append additional SQL queries to existing operations provides attackers with significant flexibility in data extraction methods, potentially allowing them to bypass normal access controls and retrieve information beyond their immediate privileges. This threat model aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a critical weakness in application security.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard attack patterns that map to several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting. Attackers can leverage their elevated privileges to execute malicious SQL commands that may reveal database schema information, user accounts with their corresponding hashes, and other sensitive data. The attack chain typically involves crafting malicious input for the 'entry' parameter, submitting it through the theme's interface, and then observing the database responses to extract the desired information. This process can be automated and repeated across multiple installations, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-site environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-2344 should prioritize immediate patching of the Avada theme to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including input validation, parameterized queries, and regular security audits of their WordPress installations. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Access control measures should be reviewed to ensure that only necessary personnel maintain editor-level privileges, reducing the potential attack surface. The implementation of web application firewalls and database activity monitoring tools can provide additional layers of protection against SQL injection attacks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other components of the WordPress ecosystem.