CVE-2024-38795 in ListingPro Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/29/2024
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in CridioStudio ListingPro listingpro-plugin allows SQL Injection.This issue affects ListingPro: from n/a through <= 2.9.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the listingpro plugin for wordpress which has been identified as cve-2024-38795. The weakness stems from improper neutralization of special elements within sql commands, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute unauthorized database operations. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the listingpro plugin from the initial release through version 2.9.4, indicating a significant window of exposure for affected systems. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category of cwe-89 sql injection, which is classified as a severe security weakness in the owasp top ten security risks. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects a widely used wordpress plugin that likely handles sensitive user data, business listings, and potentially customer information within the cridio studio ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user input is directly incorporated into sql query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. Attackers can manipulate input fields such as search parameters, filter options, or any user-controllable data entry points within the listingpro plugin interface to inject malicious sql payloads. This allows threat actors to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive database information, modify or delete records, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected wordpress installation. The improper neutralization means that special sql characters and commands are not properly escaped or encoded, enabling attackers to alter the intended logic of database queries. This flaw particularly impacts the plugin's search and filtering functionality where user inputs are likely processed directly into database queries without adequate validation or sanitization measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as it represents a fundamental breach in the application's security architecture. Organizations running affected versions of the listingpro plugin face significant risks including complete database compromise, unauthorized access to customer information, potential data breaches that could violate privacy regulations such as gdpr or ccpa, and possible system compromise through database backdoor creation. The vulnerability's presence in wordpress environments means that attackers could potentially leverage this weakness to gain access to the entire wordpress installation, including other plugins and themes that may share the same database connection. This creates a cascading security risk where a single vulnerable plugin can serve as an entry point for broader system exploitation, aligning with tactics described in the mitre att&ck framework under initial access and privilege escalation categories.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including updating to the latest version of the listingpro plugin where the sql injection flaw has been patched. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and parameterized queries for all database interactions, ensuring that user inputs are properly sanitized before being incorporated into sql commands. The implementation of web application firewalls and sql injection detection mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or custom code. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect anomalous sql query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, following principle of least privilege for database accounts and implementing proper access controls can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, while maintaining detailed logging of database activities for forensic analysis purposes.