CVE-2024-39638 in Registrations for the Events Calendar Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/29/2024
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Roundup WP Registrations for the Events Calendar allows SQL Injection.This issue affects Registrations for the Events Calendar: from n/a through 2.12.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-39638 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Roundup WP Registrations for the Events Calendar plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified starting point through version 2.12.2. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's improper handling of special elements within SQL commands, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through user input. The flaw stems from inadequate sanitization of input parameters that are directly incorporated into SQL statements without proper escaping or parameterization mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin processes user-supplied data within database queries, particularly in contexts where registration forms or event-related data are handled. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious SQL payloads through input fields that are not properly validated or escaped before being executed against the underlying database. This misconfiguration allows for unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion, as the SQL injection can bypass authentication mechanisms and escalate privileges within the affected system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, making it a direct instance of SQL injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable complete database compromise and potentially lead to full system takeover. An attacker could extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and administrative access details stored within the WordPress database. The vulnerability's presence in the events calendar registration functionality means that any user who submits registration data could inadvertently trigger the injection attack, making it particularly dangerous in environments with high user interaction. The affected plugin's widespread use in event management systems increases the potential attack surface significantly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-39638 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin versions, with administrators monitoring for security updates from the plugin developers. The implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application code to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging. Additionally, database access controls should be reviewed to limit the privileges of the application's database user accounts, implementing the principle of least privilege. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense, though they should not replace proper code-level fixes. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database access patterns that may indicate SQL injection attempts, and regular security audits should verify that all user inputs are properly sanitized before database interaction. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1190 for exploitation of remote services, demonstrating the multi-faceted nature of the threat landscape.