CVE-2024-4533 in KKProgressbar2 Free Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/27/2024
The KKProgressbar2 Free WordPress plugin through 1.1.4.2 does not sanitize and escape a parameter before using it in a SQL statement, allowing admin users to perform SQL injection attacks
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2025
The KKProgressbar2 Free WordPress plugin version 1.1.4.2 and earlier contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability that arises from insufficient input sanitization and escaping mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's handling of user-supplied parameters within database queries, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by authenticated administrators. The flaw exists in the plugin's code where a parameter is directly incorporated into a SQL statement without proper sanitization, violating fundamental security principles for database interactions. This vulnerability represents a classic case of improper input validation and output encoding that can lead to severe consequences including unauthorized data access, data manipulation, and potential system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into SQL queries. When an administrator interacts with the plugin's functionality, a parameter is accepted and directly used in database operations without appropriate escaping or sanitization measures. This creates a condition where maliciously crafted input can alter the intended SQL statement structure, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only administrative privileges to exploit, meaning that an attacker who gains access to an admin account can leverage this weakness to execute unauthorized database operations. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-89 SQL Injection, which is categorized as a high-risk vulnerability due to its potential for data breach and system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate database contents, extract sensitive information, and potentially escalate their privileges within the WordPress environment. An attacker could use this SQL injection to access user credentials, modify content, delete database entries, or even gain deeper system access through database-level attacks. The vulnerability affects all administrative users of the plugin, making it particularly concerning for WordPress installations where administrative access is limited but still present. This weakness can be exploited through various attack vectors including direct parameter manipulation or through automated tools designed to detect and exploit SQL injection vulnerabilities. The impact is further amplified by the fact that WordPress administrators often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive system information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate plugin updates to versions that address the sanitization issue, as well as implementing additional security measures such as input validation and parameterized queries. Administrators should ensure that all user inputs are properly escaped and validated before database operations, following secure coding practices recommended by OWASP and other security organizations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and data manipulation techniques, emphasizing the need for proper access controls and input validation. Organizations should also implement database activity monitoring to detect anomalous SQL queries that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or custom code components. The recommended approach includes not only patching the specific vulnerability but also establishing robust input sanitization protocols across all database interactions within the WordPress environment to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.