CVE-2022-45355
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary SQL commands through the WP Pipes WordPress plugin. Attackers with admin access can extract, modify, or delete database content, potentially compromising the entire WordPress installation. Only WordPress sites using WP Pipes version 1.33 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress WP Pipes plugin
📦 What is this software?
Wp Pipes by Thimpress
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise leading to data theft, site defacement, privilege escalation to full server access, or installation of persistent backdoors.
Likely Case
Attackers with stolen admin credentials could extract sensitive data (user credentials, payment info), modify site content, or install malicious plugins/themes.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact limited to database manipulation within the WordPress context, with detection of unusual admin activity.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires admin credentials but SQL injection payloads are straightforward once authenticated.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: > 1.33
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/wp-pipes/wordpress-wp-pipes-plugin-1-33-auth-sql-injection-sqli-vulnerability
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find WP Pipes plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and delete plugin, then install latest version from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Temporary Plugin Deactivation
allDisable the vulnerable plugin until patched version is available
wp plugin deactivate wp-pipes
Admin Access Restriction
allTemporarily restrict admin panel access to trusted IP addresses only
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict admin credential policies with MFA and regular rotation
- Deploy WAF rules to block SQL injection patterns targeting WordPress admin endpoints
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → WP Pipes version number. If version is 1.33 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get wp-pipes --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After update, verify WP Pipes version is greater than 1.33 in WordPress admin plugins page.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL queries in WordPress debug logs
- Multiple failed admin login attempts followed by successful login
- Admin user performing unexpected database operations
Network Indicators:
- POST requests to wp-admin containing SQL keywords (UNION, SELECT, INSERT) in parameters
- Unusual database connection patterns from web server
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("UNION SELECT" OR "information_schema" OR "wp_users") AND uri_path="/wp-admin/*"