A vulnerability in Avirtum ImageLinks Interactive Image Builder for WordPress, Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability, has been discovered. This vulnerability, assigned as CVE-2023-46823, allows an attacker to inject SQL commands in the WordPress plugin, potentially leading to data theft, unauthorized access, and other malicious activities. The affected versions of ImageLinks Interactive Image Builder for WordPress range from an unspecified version up to 1.5.4.

Exploit Details

A successful SQL injection attack allows an attacker to submit custom SQL commands to a web application's database server, which can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, such as usernames, passwords, and other critical information. The Avirtum ImageLinks Interactive Image Builder for WordPress contains this flaw due to improper handling and filtering of user-supplied data during the rendering process of images.

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker may submit a malicious HTTP request containing specially crafted SQL commands to the affected application, like the following example:

https://www.example.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/imagelinks-widget/php/request.php?format=metadata&url=https://www.example.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/%20UNION%20SELECT%201,username,password,email%20FROM%20wp_users--

The above code snippet constructs a new URL that tricks the plugin into allowing the execution of arbitrary SQL commands. In this case, the sample code retrieves usernames, passwords, and email addresses from the targeted WordPress site's user table.

Original References

1. CVE-2023-46823 - Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command | WPVulnDB
2. CVE-2023-46823 - National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
3. ImageLinks Interactive Image Builder for WordPress - Avirtum Website

To mitigate against this vulnerability, follow these steps

1. Update your ImageLinks Interactive Image Builder for WordPress plugin to the latest version (if available), ensuring that it includes the necessary security fixes for this vulnerability.
2. Regularly employ security best practices, like sanitizing user input and using prepared statements with parameterized queries, to reduce the risk of SQL injection attacks in your WordPress site.
3. Use robust website security tools and firewalls to help prevent unauthorized access and protect your website against different types of attacks.

Conclusion

Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Avirtum ImageLinks Interactive Image Builder for WordPress is a severe security flaw that can expose sensitive information and pose significant risks to affected websites. By updating to the latest version of the plugin and following the suggested mitigation steps, WordPress site administrators can minimize the risks associated with this vulnerability and better protect their sites.

Timeline

Published on: 11/06/2023 10:15:08 UTC
Last modified on: 11/14/2023 17:05:47 UTC