CVE-2024-7385 in Simple HTML Sitemap Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/25/2024
The WordPress Simple HTML Sitemap plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the 'id' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 3.1 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Administrator-level access and above, 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 • 10/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-7385 affects the WordPress Simple HTML Sitemap plugin, specifically targeting versions up to and including 3.1. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress installations relying on this plugin. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the plugin's codebase, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors with administrative privileges. The attack vector involves manipulation of the 'id' parameter through SQL injection techniques, which allows threat actors to inject malicious SQL commands into existing database queries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection flaws as a fundamental weakness in application security. The plugin fails to properly escape or prepare user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries, creating a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate the underlying SQL execution flow. This particular flaw demonstrates poor secure coding practices where the plugin directly concatenates user input into SQL statements without proper parameterization or input sanitization measures. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access with administrator-level privileges, meaning that attackers who have already gained administrative access to a WordPress site can exploit this weakness to escalate their data extraction capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the ability to extract sensitive information from the WordPress database through crafted SQL injection payloads. This could include user credentials, personal information, plugin configurations, and other confidential data stored within the WordPress installation. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is amplified by the fact that it operates within the context of an already compromised administrative account, making detection more challenging as the malicious activity appears to originate from legitimate administrative functions. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to extract complete user databases, access private content, or manipulate core WordPress functionality to maintain persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-7385 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability, as this represents the most effective solution to prevent exploitation. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring of administrative activities and database query logs to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network-based intrusion detection systems can be configured to identify suspicious SQL injection patterns in traffic, while application-level firewalls can provide additional protection against malicious parameter injection. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1078.004 highlights the importance of maintaining strict access controls and implementing principle of least privilege principles to limit the potential damage from compromised administrative accounts. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should include vulnerability scanning to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by threat actors.