CVE-2024-30497 in WP Responsive Tabs Horizontal Vertical and Accordion Tabs Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2024
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in I Thirteen Web Solution WP Responsive Tabs horizontal vertical and accordion Tabs.This issue affects WP Responsive Tabs horizontal vertical and accordion Tabs: from n/a through 1.1.17.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-30497 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the WP Responsive Tabs plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified initial version through 1.1.17. This security weakness resides in the plugin's improper handling of special elements within SQL commands, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute unauthorized database operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and parameter validation mechanisms that fail to properly neutralize user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries.
This SQL injection vulnerability operates under CWE-89, which classifies it as a direct database injection attack vector where attacker-controlled data flows into SQL command construction without proper escaping or parameterization. The affected plugin's code likely processes user inputs through GET or POST parameters that are directly concatenated into SQL queries without appropriate sanitization measures. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that alters the intended SQL command structure, potentially enabling unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion within the affected WordPress installation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to escalate privileges within the WordPress environment, extract sensitive information including user credentials, and potentially establish persistent backdoors through database manipulation. The vulnerability affects the plugin's horizontal and vertical tab functionality, suggesting that any user interaction with tab navigation or configuration settings could serve as an attack vector. Given that WordPress plugins often handle user data and administrative functions, this weakness creates a significant risk to the overall security posture of affected websites.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the vulnerable plugin to version 1.1.18 or later, which should contain proper input validation and parameterized query implementations. Organizations should also implement web application firewall rules to detect and block known SQL injection patterns targeting the affected plugin endpoints. Additionally, security hardening measures including input validation at multiple layers, database query parameterization, and regular security scanning of WordPress installations can help prevent exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can create persistent security risks in content management systems.