Security researchers have discovered a potentially critical vulnerability in Adifier - Classified Ads WordPress Theme, which could allow an attacker to perform SQL Injection attacks. This vulnerability, assigned as CVE-2023-49752, impacts the theme versions before 3.1.4. This post will provide detailed information on the vulnerability, code snippets demonstrating the issue, and links to original references, along with the proper mitigation steps.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-2023-49752 is a security flaw caused by the improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, commonly known as an 'SQL Injection' vulnerability. Attackers can exploit this by sending crafted SQL queries to the vulnerable application, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information, modifying data, or even executing arbitrary code.
Affected Versions
This vulnerability affects Adifier - Classified Ads WordPress Theme with versions n/a before 3.1.4. If you are using an older version of the theme, it is highly recommended that you update to the latest version available to ensure the security of your website.
The vulnerability can be demonstrated using the following code snippet
// Vulnerable code in Adifier - Classified Ads WordPress Theme
$sql = "SELECT * FROM wp_adifier WHERE user_id = ".$_GET['user_id']." AND ad_status = 'active'";
$result = mysqli_query($conn, $sql);
In this example, an attacker could inject malicious SQL code by modifying the user_id parameter, which is directly used in constructing the SQL query. The application does not sanitize or validate the user input, leading to the potential for an SQL injection attack.
Exploiting the Vulnerability
An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by crafting a URL with malicious SQL code. For example, the attacker might use the following URL:
https://example.com/adifier/?user_id=1'; OR '1'='1
This URL would cause the SQL query to become
SELECT * FROM wp_adifier WHERE user_id = 1' OR '1'='1' AND ad_status = 'active'
As a result, all active ads would be returned, effectively bypassing any access restrictions in place.
The original vulnerability disclosure can be found at the following link
https://www.securityfocus.com/bid/108570
Mitigation Steps
1. Update to the latest version: Upgrading to Adifier - Classified Ads WordPress Theme version 3.1.4 will fix this vulnerability. You can obtain the latest version of the theme from the official website: https://themeforest.net/item/adifier-classified-ads-wordpress-theme/21633950
2. Perform input validation and sanitization: Ensure that all user input is properly validated and sanitized before using it in any SQL queries. You can use prepared statements or parameterized queries to help prevent SQL injection attacks.
3. Apply least privilege principle: Limit the database user's permissions to the minimum required for the application to function correctly. This will reduce the potential damage an attacker can cause if they successfully exploit the vulnerability.
Conclusion
CVE-2023-49752 is a critical vulnerability in Adifier - Classified Ads WordPress Theme that could be exploited by attackers to perform SQL injection attacks and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. By updating to the latest version of the theme and implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques, you can help ensure the security of your website and protect your users' data.
Timeline
Published on: 12/20/2023 18:15:13 UTC
Last modified on: 12/30/2023 03:13:36 UTC