CVE-2024-7548 in LearnPress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/08/2024
The LearnPress – WordPress LMS Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to time-based SQL Injection via the 'order' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 4.2.6.9.3 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-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 • 01/09/2025
The CVE-2024-7548 vulnerability affects the LearnPress WordPress LMS plugin, a popular educational platform that has been compromised by a time-based SQL injection flaw. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 4.2.6.9.3, representing a critical security weakness that can be exploited by authenticated attackers who have reached Contributor level access or higher within the WordPress environment. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization practices where the plugin fails to properly escape user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into database queries. The vulnerability specifically targets the 'order' parameter, which is processed without sufficient protection mechanisms that would normally prevent malicious SQL code from being executed within the database context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the SQL query structure through the 'order' parameter, enabling them to append additional SQL commands to existing database operations. This time-based SQL injection technique works by exploiting the way the plugin processes user input, where malicious payloads can cause the database to delay responses based on boolean conditions. Attackers can construct queries that force the database to wait for specific time intervals, thereby extracting information through timing variations rather than direct data retrieval. The lack of proper parameter preparation and input validation creates a pathway for attackers to perform unauthorized database operations that could expose sensitive user information, course data, and administrative credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform extensive reconnaissance and data exfiltration activities. Contributors with access to the WordPress admin panel can leverage this vulnerability to extract comprehensive database information including user credentials, course materials, enrollment records, and potentially administrative access details. The time-based nature of the injection means that attackers can perform systematic data extraction without raising immediate alarms, as the database responses appear normal from an external perspective. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to educational institutions that rely on LearnPress for their online learning management, as it can lead to unauthorized access to student records, course content, and institutional data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-7548 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to the latest available version where the SQL injection vulnerability has been addressed. System administrators should implement the principle of least privilege by restricting Contributor-level access to only necessary functionality and monitoring user activities for suspicious behavior patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which identifies improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, and represents a technique that could be categorized under ATT&CK matrix tactic TA0006 (Credential Access) and technique T1213 (Data from Information Repositories). Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while conducting regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins and themes within their WordPress installations.