CVE-2024-43969

Vulnerability

Overview CVE-2024-43969 is an SQL Injection vulnerability in the Spiffy Calendar plugin for WordPress, affecting versions from n/a through 4.9.12. The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, enabling an attacker to inject arbitrary SQL statements via unsanitized user input [1]. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 and carries a CVSS v3 base score of 7.6, indicating high severity [1].

Exploitation

Conditions The vulnerability can be exploited without authentication, as the plugin fails to properly sanitize input fields before including them in database queries. An attacker only needs network access to a WordPress site running a vulnerable version of the plugin. Given the widespread use of this plugin and the unauthenticated nature of the attack, it is suitable for mass-exploit campaigns targeting thousands of websites indiscriminately [1].

Impact

Successful exploitation allows a malicious actor to directly interact with the underlying database. This could lead to extraction of sensitive information, such as user credentials or personal data, and potentially allow further compromise of the WordPress installation or server [1].

Mitigation

The vendor has released version 4.9.13, which patches the vulnerability. Users are strongly advised to update immediately. If updating is not possible, contacting a hosting provider or web developer for assistance is recommended. Patchstack users can enable auto-updates for vulnerable plugins to streamline the process [1].