CVE-2024-3060 in ENL Newsletter Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/26/2024
The ENL Newsletter WordPress plugin through 1.0.1 does not sanitize and escape a parameter before using it in a SQL statement, allowing admin+ to perform SQL injection attacks
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2024
The CVE-2024-3060 vulnerability affects the ENL Newsletter WordPress plugin version 1.0.1 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw that enables authenticated attackers with administrator privileges or higher to execute arbitrary SQL commands. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input sanitization and escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, specifically when processing user-supplied parameters in database queries. The flaw exists in the plugin's handling of data that should be properly validated and escaped before being incorporated into SQL statements, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a classic SQL injection weakness where the plugin fails to adequately sanitize user input before incorporating it into database operations. When administrators or users with admin+ privileges interact with the plugin's functionality, the malicious parameter is directly passed into SQL queries without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to manipulate the database structure and potentially extract sensitive information. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-89 SQL Injection, which represents one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The ATT&CK framework would classify this as a privilege escalation technique through the use of SQL injection to gain unauthorized access to database resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for WordPress installations using the affected plugin, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges to manipulate the entire newsletter database. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract user credentials, modify subscriber lists, access confidential communications, and potentially escalate their access to other system components. The vulnerability specifically targets authenticated users with administrator or higher privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is compromised. The SQL injection attack vector allows for both read and write operations against the database, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-3060 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 1.0.2 or later, which presumably contain the necessary sanitization fixes. Organizations should also implement network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious SQL query patterns and consider database query logging to detect anomalous activity. Additionally, administrators should enforce the principle of least privilege, ensuring that only necessary personnel have administrator access to WordPress installations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and parameterized queries in preventing SQL injection attacks, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar sanitization issues in other plugin components and custom WordPress developments.