CVE-2024-49619 in Social Link Groups Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2024
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in acespritech Social Link Groups social-link-groups allows Blind SQL Injection.This issue affects Social Link Groups: from n/a through <= 1.1.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the acespritech Social Link Groups plugin for wordpress systems. The weakness stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the plugin's sql command execution logic, specifically when processing user-supplied data in social link group management functions. The vulnerability is classified as blind sql injection because the attacker cannot directly observe sql query results through error messages or response data, instead relying on timing-based or boolean-based inference techniques to extract information from the underlying database. The affected version range indicates that all installations up to and including version 1.1.0 remain vulnerable, suggesting this represents a long-standing flaw that has not been properly addressed in the plugin's codebase.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user input containing malicious sql payloads is processed through the plugin's social link group functionality without proper sanitization or parameterization. Attackers can craft special elements in group names, descriptions, or other configurable fields that when processed by the backend sql engine, execute unintended sql commands. This allows for unauthorized database access, data manipulation, and potentially full system compromise. The blind nature of the injection means attackers must use indirect methods such as conditional queries or time delays to determine successful exploitation and extract sensitive information from the database. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that mandate proper input validation and parameterized queries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and unauthorized administrative access. An attacker who successfully exploits this blind sql injection could gain access to wordpress user credentials, database schemas, and potentially escalate privileges to full system control. The vulnerability affects the core social link group functionality, meaning that any website utilizing this plugin for managing social media connections becomes a potential target for data exfiltration or system manipulation. The impact is particularly severe for websites that store sensitive user information or business data within their wordpress databases, as the attack surface includes not just the plugin's immediate functionality but also the broader wordpress installation. This vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in the plugin's security architecture and represents a significant risk to website owners who have not yet updated to patched versions.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the sql injection vulnerability, though administrators should also implement additional protective measures. The primary defense remains keeping the plugin updated to the latest version where the sql injection vulnerability has been properly addressed through input sanitization and parameterized sql queries. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense by filtering suspicious sql injection patterns, though these should not replace proper code-level fixes. Database access controls should be implemented to limit the privileges of the wordpress database user account, reducing potential damage from successful exploitation. Regular security audits of wordpress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and input validation should be enforced throughout all user-facing plugin interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely updates of vulnerable components, as this vulnerability represents a common type of flaw that can be prevented through proper secure coding practices and regular security maintenance procedures.