CNVD-2015-06157 Scanner

WordPress Plugin WP Symposium is a popular plugin designed to add social features to WordPress websites. It is often utilized by developers and website owners looking to create a social network within their WordPress site. The plugin is maintained and distributed by the WordPress Software Foundation and supports PHP and MySQL environments. WP Symposium is intended for bloggers and businesses seeking to enhance community engagement through forums and social interactions. The plugin’s flexibility and ease of use make it a preferred choice for integrating social network features on a WordPress site. The wide adoption and integration of WP Symposium make it critical to maintain its security and functionality within existing WordPress installations.

SQL Injection (SQLi) is a critical vulnerability that allows attackers to interfere with the queries that an application makes to its database. This vulnerability specifically affects the 'forum_functions.php' component within the WP Symposium plugin. Malicious actors can exploit this weakness to execute unauthorized SQL commands, leading to unauthorized information disclosure, data manipulation, or in certain cases, complete system compromise. Due to the SQL injection flaw, attackers might gain elevated privileges or unlock additional vulnerabilities within the WordPress application or its associated database. The presence of SQL injection necessitates that site administrators take immediate remedial actions to secure the affected component.

Technically, the vulnerability allows attackers to inject crafted SQL statements via unsanitized input parameters in the 'forum_functions.php' file. By manipulating the input parameters such as 'topic_id' or 'action', attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands. The use of blind SQL injection tactics, such as SLEEP commands, indicates the presence of dormant vulnerabilities that respond based on time delays. Detection of this vulnerability involves identifying 5-second execution delays triggered by the malicious payload. The endpoint vulnerable to SQL injection is 'ajax/forum_functions.php', and it’s crucial for the query handling within this file to be fortified against such attacks.

Exploitation of this SQL injection vulnerability can lead to a range of adverse effects, including unauthorized access or manipulation of sensitive data. Malicious users could retrieve, modify, or delete data within the application's database, potentially leading to data breaches or data loss. Attackers with sufficient access might pivot further to exploit other systemic vulnerabilities within the hosting environment. Such incidents could result in reputational damage, legal implications, and financial loss. It's imperative for website administrators to address these risks promptly to prevent exploitation and safeguard user data.

REFERENCES

• http://www.wpsymposium.com/