CVE-2024-6479 in SIP Reviews Shortcode for WooCommerce Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/01/2024
The SIP Reviews Shortcode for WooCommerce plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the 'no_of_reviews' attribute in the woocommerce_reviews shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 1.2.3 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-6479 affects the SIP Reviews Shortcode for WooCommerce plugin, a WordPress extension designed to display product reviews within WooCommerce stores. This particular flaw exists in all versions up to and including 1.2.3, representing a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of the plugin's database interactions. The vulnerability specifically targets the woocommerce_reviews shortcode functionality, which is commonly used to display customer reviews on product pages and other sections of e-commerce websites. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the plugin's codebase, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through carefully crafted input parameters.
The technical implementation of this SQL injection vulnerability occurs through the 'no_of_reviews' attribute parameter within the woocommerce_reviews shortcode. When users supply this parameter, the plugin fails to properly escape or sanitize the input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This lack of proper parameter preparation creates a condition where attackers can inject malicious SQL code that gets executed alongside the legitimate database queries. The vulnerability is classified as an incomplete neutralization of special elements in SQL queries, aligning with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws. The absence of proper input filtering and query preparation mechanisms allows attackers to append additional SQL operations to existing queries, potentially extracting sensitive data from the WordPress database without requiring authentication credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data extraction, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities through the compromised database interface. Unauthenticated attackers can leverage this weakness to access confidential information including customer data, product details, order histories, and potentially administrative credentials stored within the WordPress database. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be targeted by anyone who has access to the affected website. This creates significant risk for e-commerce platforms where sensitive customer information and business data are stored, potentially leading to data breaches, identity theft, and financial fraud. The attack surface is further expanded due to the widespread use of WooCommerce and its associated plugins within the WordPress ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-6479 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability, as developers have likely released patches to fix the insufficient escaping and preparation issues. Organizations should implement robust input validation measures and ensure all user-supplied parameters are properly sanitized before database interaction. The principle of least privilege should be applied to database connections used by WordPress plugins, limiting the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to identify unusual database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring can provide additional layers of protection against SQL injection attacks. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes remain essential for identifying similar vulnerabilities and maintaining overall system security posture. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and parameter preparation in preventing SQL injection attacks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1190 for SQL injection and emphasizing the need for secure coding practices throughout the software development lifecycle.