CVE-2021-24141

Advanced Database Cleaner <= 3.0.1 - SQL injection

2020-09-06 00:00

Strategic Overview

Status: Patched in 3.0.2
Affected Plugin: Advanced Database Cleaner – Optimize & Clean Database to Speed Up Site Performance
Affected Version: < 3.0.2
CVSS: 7.2High
Weakness type: CWE-89 · Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
CVE: CVE-2021-24141

View all Advanced Database Cleaner – Optimize & Clean Database to Speed Up Site Performance vulnerabilities

At a glance

CVE-2021-24141 is a high-severity Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in the Advanced Database Cleaner WordPress plugin, affecting versions < 3.0.2. It carries a CVSS score of 7.2 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity; high confidentiality, integrity, availability impact). The issue is fixed in version 3.0.2; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed September 2020, reported by Nguyen Van Khanh.

Vulnerability Overview

Unvaludated input in the Advanced Database Cleaner plugin, versions before 3.0.2, lead to SQL injection allowing high privilege users (admin+) to perform SQL attacks.

Technical Analysis

The vector marks this flaw as remotely reachable over the network, with low attack complexity — no special timing or configuration is needed, and no interaction from a victim user. A successful exploit has high impact on confidentiality, integrity, availability — full site compromise territory.

CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')

Reaching this weakness in Advanced Database Cleaner < 3.0.2 takes a caller who can reach the endpoint. SQL injection happens when request data is concatenated into a query instead of being bound as a parameter, letting an attacker change the structure of the statement rather than just its values.

A working injection can read any table the database user can see, which on a WordPress install means user records, password hashes and session or API secrets stored in options. For Advanced Database Cleaner the fix is 3.0.2: builds < 3.0.2 are affected, anything from 3.0.2 onward is not.

Remediation

Update to version 3.0.2, or a newer patched version

How does WordSec protect against this?

The attempt arrives as an ordinary request to Advanced Database Cleaner: WordSec's web application firewall inspects request payloads before WordPress loads them. None of that substitutes for the fix: Advanced Database Cleaner 3.0.2 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.

Firewall
Alerts

External References

https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-24141 https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/db484c8a-e46d-457b-b634-28d823ff2120 https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-24141

Related records

Same weakness class

7.2CVE-2023-49764: Advanced Database Cleaner <= 3.1.2 SQL InjectionCVE-2023-49764

Other vulnerabilities in Advanced Database Cleaner – Optimize & Clean Database to Speed Up Site Performance

CVSS Vector

7.2

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Base

Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges RequiredHigh
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh

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