CVE-2015-7517
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes SQL injection vulnerabilities in the WordPress Double Opt-In for Download plugin that allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities via the 'ver' parameter in two specific PHP files, potentially compromising WordPress sites running vulnerable versions of this plugin.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Double Opt-In for Download plugin
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise leading to data theft, privilege escalation, remote code execution, and full site takeover.
Likely Case
Database information disclosure, user data exposure, and potential administrative access to the WordPress site.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper input validation and parameterized queries preventing SQL injection.
🎯 Exploit Status
SQL injection vulnerabilities are well-understood and easily exploitable with automated tools.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.0.9
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/double-opt-in-for-download/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins
3. Find 'Double Opt-In for Download'
4. Click 'Update Now' if update is available
5. If no update appears, manually download version 2.0.9+ from WordPress repository
6. Deactivate old plugin, upload new version, activate
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily disable the Double Opt-In for Download plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate double-opt-in-for-download
Web Application Firewall rule
linuxBlock requests containing SQL injection patterns targeting the ver parameter
ModSecurity rule: SecRule ARGS:ver "@detectSQLi" "id:1001,phase:2,deny,status:403"
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict input validation for all user-supplied parameters
- Use parameterized queries or prepared statements for all database operations
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Double Opt-In for Download → Version. If version is below 2.0.9, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get double-opt-in-for-download --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm plugin version is 2.0.9 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL errors in WordPress logs
- Multiple requests to /wp-content/plugins/double-opt-in-for-download/public/includes/ with ver parameter containing SQL syntax
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with SQL keywords in ver parameter (SELECT, UNION, INSERT, etc.)
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND "ver=" AND ("SELECT" OR "UNION" OR "INSERT" OR "UPDATE" OR "DELETE")🔗 References
- http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.comp.security.oss.general/18255
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/78220
- http://www.vapidlabs.com/advisory.php?v=157
- https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/8345
- http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.comp.security.oss.general/18255
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/78220
- http://www.vapidlabs.com/advisory.php?v=157
- https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/8345
