CVE-2021-24458
📋 TL;DR
This SQL injection vulnerability in the Popup box WordPress plugin allows authenticated attackers with admin dashboard access to execute arbitrary SQL commands. It affects WordPress sites running vulnerable plugin versions, potentially compromising the entire database.
💻 Affected Systems
- Popup box WordPress plugin
📦 What is this software?
Popup Box by Ays Pro
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise including sensitive data theft, privilege escalation, and potential site takeover via arbitrary code execution.
Likely Case
Data exfiltration from WordPress database, including user credentials, plugin settings, and potentially sensitive content.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper input validation and parameterized queries are implemented, restricting SQL command execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated admin access. SQL injection via orderby parameter is straightforward for attackers with credentials.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.3.4
Vendor Advisory: https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/8a588266-54cd-4779-adcf-f9b9e226c297
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin dashboard. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Popup box' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 2.3.4+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily disable the Popup box plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate popup-box
Web Application Firewall rule
allBlock SQL injection attempts targeting orderby parameter
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict admin dashboard access to trusted IP addresses only
- Implement database user with minimal privileges for WordPress application
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Popup box version. If version < 2.3.4, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get popup-box --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm plugin version is 2.3.4 or higher in WordPress admin dashboard.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL queries in database logs
- Multiple failed login attempts to admin dashboard
- Unexpected orderby parameter values in web server logs
Network Indicators:
- SQL injection payloads in HTTP requests to admin-ajax.php or similar endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="web_server" AND ("orderby" AND ("UNION" OR "SELECT" OR "INSERT" OR "UPDATE" OR "DELETE"))