CVE-2024-11722 – This SQL injection vulnerability in the Fronten... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-11722?

CVE-2024-11722 has a CVSS score of 5.9 (MEDIUM). This SQL injection vulnerability in the Frontend Admin WordPress plugin allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries and extract sensitive data from the database. It affects all WordPress sites using the plugin up to version 3.25.1 where form submission functionality is enabled and accessible to unauthenticated users.

📋 TL;DR

This SQL injection vulnerability in the Frontend Admin WordPress plugin allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries and extract sensitive data from the database. It affects all WordPress sites using the plugin up to version 3.25.1 where form submission functionality is enabled and accessible to unauthenticated users.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Frontend Admin by DynamiApps WordPress Plugin

Versions: All versions up to and including 3.25.1

Operating Systems: Any OS running WordPress

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Requires both: 1) Form submission shortcode added to a page, and 2) Unauthenticated users given permission to view form submissions.

📦 What is this software?

Frontend Admin by Dynamiapps

View all CVEs affecting Frontend Admin →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete database compromise including extraction of user credentials, personal data, and administrative access leading to site takeover.

🟠

Likely Case

Extraction of sensitive form submission data, user information, and potential privilege escalation.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if proper access controls restrict unauthenticated users from viewing form submissions.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - Exploitable by unauthenticated attackers over the internet when vulnerable configuration exists.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal attackers could exploit if they have network access to the vulnerable WordPress instance.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW

SQL injection via 'orderby' parameter requires minimal technical skill to exploit once identified.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 3.25.2 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=3209204%40acf-frontend-form-element&new=3209204%40acf-frontend-form-element&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Frontend Admin by DynamiApps'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 3.25.2+ from WordPress.org and manually update.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict Form Submission Access

all

Remove unauthenticated user permissions to view form submissions in plugin settings.

Remove Form Submission Shortcodes

all

Delete or comment out form submission shortcodes from WordPress pages/posts.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block SQL injection patterns in 'orderby' parameter
Disable the Frontend Admin plugin entirely until patching is possible

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check WordPress admin > Plugins > Installed Plugins for Frontend Admin version. If version is 3.25.1 or lower, site is vulnerable.

Check Version:

wp plugin list --name='Frontend Admin' --field=version (if WP-CLI installed)

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify plugin version is 3.25.2 or higher in WordPress admin plugins page.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual SQL queries in WordPress/database logs
Multiple requests with crafted 'orderby' parameters
Access attempts to form submission pages by unauthenticated users

Network Indicators:

HTTP POST/GET requests containing SQL injection patterns in orderby parameter
Unusual database connection patterns from web server

SIEM Query:

web.url:*orderby* AND (web.url:*UNION* OR web.url:*SELECT* OR web.url:*INSERT* OR web.url:*UPDATE* OR web.url:*DELETE*)

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-11722

CVSS v3 Score: 5.9 (MEDIUM)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

CWE: CWE-89

Published: December 21, 2024

Last Updated: June 5, 2025

🔗 References

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