Slimstat Analytics <= 4.9.3.3 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) SQL Injection via Shortcode

2023-03-30 00:00
Anonymous

Strategic Overview

Status
Patched in 4.9.3.4
Affected Plugin
SlimStat Analytics
Affected Version
<= 4.9.3.3
CVSS
8.8High
Weakness type
CWE-89 · Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
CVE
CVE pending
View all SlimStat Analytics vulnerabilities

At a glance

This record tracks a high-severity Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in the SlimStat Analytics WordPress plugin, affecting versions <= 4.9.3.3. It carries a CVSS score of 8.8 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity; high confidentiality, integrity, availability impact). Exploitation requires an authenticated account at Subscriber level or above. The issue is fixed in version 4.9.3.4; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed March 2023.

Vulnerability Overview

The Slimstat Analytics plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the plugin's shortcode(s) in versions up to, and including, 4.9.3.3 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 subscriber-level permissions, and above, to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database.

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 SlimStat Analytics <= 4.9.3.3 takes an account at Subscriber level or above. 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 SlimStat Analytics the fix is 4.9.3.4: builds <= 4.9.3.3 are affected, anything from 4.9.3.4 onward is not.

Remediation

Update to version 4.9.3.4, or a newer patched version

How does WordSec protect against this?

An attacker needs Subscriber access first, so the firewall sees the attempt as traffic from a logged-in account: WordSec's web application firewall inspects request payloads before WordPress loads them. None of that substitutes for the fix: SlimStat Analytics 4.9.3.4 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.

  • Firewall
  • Alerts

External References

https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/af075ffe-553a-4351-a696-5c678788f3b9

Related records

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