CVE-2024-32098 in Advanced Page Visit Counter Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/15/2024
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Page Visit Counter Advanced Page Visit Counter.This issue affects Advanced Page Visit Counter: from n/a through 8.0.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-32098 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Advanced Page Visit Counter plugin, a widely used WordPress tracking solution. This vulnerability resides in the improper neutralization of special elements within SQL commands, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute unauthorized database operations. The affected version range spans from an unspecified starting point through version 8.0.6, indicating a prolonged period during which the plugin remained susceptible to this class of attack. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin processes user input through SQL queries without proper input validation or parameter binding mechanisms. Attackers can manipulate the plugin's functionality by injecting malicious SQL code through parameters that are then passed to database queries. This flaw allows for arbitrary code execution, data manipulation, and potential database compromise. The vulnerability specifically impacts how the plugin handles page visit tracking data, where user-provided information such as page URLs, visitor identifiers, or tracking parameters may be directly embedded into SQL statements without proper escaping or parameterization. This creates opportunities for attackers to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges within the affected WordPress environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable complete compromise of the WordPress installation and underlying database infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and potentially administrative access to the WordPress dashboard. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the plugin is designed to track page visits, making it likely to receive various types of input from visitors that could be exploited. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions suggests that it may be a fundamental flaw in the plugin's architecture rather than a temporary coding error, increasing the risk exposure for affected installations. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1046 for network service discovery, as attackers would likely use this vulnerability to map database structures and identify additional attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from affected users, including updating to the latest available version of the Advanced Page Visit Counter plugin where the issue has been resolved. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and parameterized queries as defensive measures, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed in database operations. Network segmentation and database access controls should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, monitoring for unusual database activity and implementing web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their WordPress installations to identify other potentially affected plugins or components that may share similar architectural flaws. The remediation process should include not only patching the specific vulnerability but also implementing broader security practices such as regular security audits, input validation frameworks, and database privilege management to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of the system.