CVE-2024-32128 in Organic IDX Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/15/2024
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Realtyna Realtyna Organic IDX plugin.This issue affects Realtyna Organic IDX plugin: from n/a through 4.14.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2024
The CVE-2024-32128 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Realtyna Organic IDX plugin, a widely used WordPress plugin for real estate listing management and display. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands, making it a classic and dangerous injection attack vector. The vulnerability exists in plugin versions ranging from an unspecified initial version through 4.14.4, indicating a long-standing issue that has persisted across multiple releases. The affected plugin serves real estate professionals and agencies by integrating property listings with WordPress websites, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise real estate databases and customer information. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate SQL queries through specially crafted inputs, potentially enabling unauthorized database access and data manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the plugin's database interaction functions. When users submit data through various plugin interfaces such as search forms, property filters, or administrative panels, the plugin fails to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied values before incorporating them into SQL queries. This improper handling creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious SQL code that can bypass authentication, extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even execute arbitrary commands on the underlying database server. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the database layer, where successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of the plugin's data storage and potentially the entire WordPress installation if database credentials are not properly isolated. The attack surface includes any function that processes user input and subsequently generates SQL queries without adequate sanitization measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing potential complete system compromise and business disruption for real estate professionals. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to access customer contact information, property details, pricing data, and other sensitive real estate information that could be monetized or used for competitive advantage. The vulnerability also poses risks to website availability and integrity, as attackers might delete or corrupt property listings, manipulate pricing information, or inject malicious content that could affect search engine rankings and user trust. Additionally, the compromised data could be used for identity theft, fraud, or other malicious activities that would damage the reputation of affected real estate agencies and their clients. The widespread adoption of the Realtyna Organic IDX plugin means that numerous real estate websites could be simultaneously vulnerable, creating a significant attack surface for coordinated exploitation campaigns.
Organizations affected by CVE-2024-32128 should prioritize immediate remediation through the latest available plugin updates, as vendors typically address such vulnerabilities in subsequent releases. System administrators should implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and database query monitoring to detect and block suspicious SQL injection attempts. Database access controls should be reviewed and hardened, ensuring that plugin accounts have minimal required privileges and that sensitive data is properly encrypted both at rest and in transit. Security monitoring should include regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify similar issues in other plugins or components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the need for proper network segmentation and access controls. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes and security awareness training for administrators to reduce the window of exposure and improve overall security posture. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation issues across all application components.