CVE-2021-24341
📋 TL;DR
This SQL injection vulnerability in the Xllentech English Islamic Calendar WordPress plugin allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands when deleting dates. Attackers can potentially read, modify, or delete database content. WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Xllentech English Islamic Calendar WordPress Plugin
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise allowing data theft, modification, or deletion; potential privilege escalation to WordPress administrator; possible remote code execution via database functions.
Likely Case
Unauthorized data access, modification of calendar entries, potential extraction of sensitive WordPress user data or configuration information.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper input validation and database permissions, potentially only affecting calendar data tables.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires access to the date deletion functionality. Public proof-of-concept exists in vulnerability disclosures.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.6.8
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/xllentech-english-islamic-calendar/#developers
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Xllentech English Islamic Calendar'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. If update not available, download version 2.6.8+ from WordPress.org and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate xllentech-english-islamic-calendar
Web Application Firewall Rule
allBlock SQL injection patterns targeting year_number and month_number parameters
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict access to WordPress admin panel and plugin functionality
- Implement database-level protections: use least privilege database accounts, enable query logging
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check plugin version in WordPress admin → Plugins → Xllentech English Islamic Calendar. If version is below 2.6.8, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get xllentech-english-islamic-calendar --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm plugin version is 2.6.8 or higher. Test date deletion functionality with SQL injection test payloads.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL queries in database logs
- Multiple failed login attempts following plugin access
- Unexpected database errors in WordPress debug logs
Network Indicators:
- POST requests to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with SQL injection patterns in year_number/month_number parameters
SIEM Query:
source="web_server" AND (uri_path="*/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php*" AND (request_body="*year_number*" OR request_body="*month_number*") AND request_body MATCHES "*[';]|UNION|SELECT|INSERT|UPDATE|DELETE|DROP*")