CVE-2021-4340
📋 TL;DR
The uListing WordPress plugin contains an SQL injection vulnerability in versions up to 1.6.6 that allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries. This can lead to data theft, including sensitive information from the database. All WordPress sites using vulnerable uListing plugin versions are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress uListing plugin
📦 What is this software?
Ulisting by Stylemixthemes
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise including admin credentials, sensitive user data, and potential remote code execution via database functions.
Likely Case
Data exfiltration of WordPress user credentials, plugin data, and potentially sensitive site information.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper WAF rules and database permissions restricting query execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
SQL injection via 'listing_id' parameter requires no authentication and has public proof-of-concept available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.6.7 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/ulisting/#developers
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find uListing plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. If manual update needed, download version 1.6.7+ from WordPress.org and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
WAF Rule Implementation
allImplement web application firewall rules to block SQL injection patterns in 'listing_id' parameter
Plugin Deactivation
linuxTemporarily deactivate uListing plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate ulisting
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict input validation for 'listing_id' parameter to only accept numeric values
- Apply database-level protections: restrict database user permissions, enable query logging
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for uListing version ≤1.6.6Check Version:
wp plugin get ulisting --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm uListing plugin version is 1.6.7 or higher in WordPress admin📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL queries in database logs
- Multiple requests with SQL-like patterns in 'listing_id' parameter
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with SQL injection payloads in parameters
- Unusual database connection patterns from web server
SIEM Query:
web.url:*listing_id* AND (web.url:*UNION* OR web.url:*SELECT* OR web.url:*INSERT* OR web.url:*UPDATE* OR web.url:*DELETE*)🔗 References
- https://blog.nintechnet.com/wordpress-ulisting-plugin-fixed-multiple-critical-vulnerabilities/
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/10b7a88f-ce46-42aa-ab5a-81f38288a659?source=cve
- https://blog.nintechnet.com/wordpress-ulisting-plugin-fixed-multiple-critical-vulnerabilities/
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/10b7a88f-ce46-42aa-ab5a-81f38288a659?source=cve
