WP Statistics < 9.4.1 - Authenticated Blind SQL Injection

2015-07-09 00:00

Strategic Overview

Status: Patched in 9.4.1
Affected Plugin: WP Statistics – Simple, privacy-friendly Google Analytics alternative
Affected Version: < 9.4.1
CVSS: 8.7High
Weakness type: CWE-89 · Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
CVE: CVE pending

View all WP Statistics – Simple, privacy-friendly Google Analytics alternative 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 WP Statistics WordPress plugin, affecting versions < 9.4.1. It carries a CVSS score of 8.7 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity; high confidentiality, integrity impact). Exploitation requires an authenticated account. The issue is fixed in version 9.4.1; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed July 2015, reported by Marcin Probola.

Vulnerability Overview

The WP Statistics plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to blind SQL Injection via the ‘page-id’ parameter in versions before 9.4.1 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 at the administrator-level role 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.

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

WP Statistics < 9.4.1 carries this weakness at page-id, and reaching it takes any authenticated account. 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 WP Statistics the fix is 9.4.1: builds < 9.4.1 are affected, anything from 9.4.1 onward is not.

Remediation

Update to version 9.4.1, or a newer patched version

How does WordSec protect against this?

The attempt arrives as an ordinary request to WP Statistics: WordSec's web application firewall inspects request payloads before WordPress loads them. None of that substitutes for the fix: WP Statistics 9.4.1 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.

Firewall
Alerts

External References

https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/364804a5-8699-46be-b25e-890a10134a25

Related records

Same weakness class

Other vulnerabilities in WP Statistics – Simple, privacy-friendly Google Analytics alternative

CVSS Vector

8.7

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

Base

Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges RequiredHigh
User InteractionNone
ScopeChanged
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityNone

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