CVE-2024-12404
📋 TL;DR
The CF Internal Link Shortcode WordPress plugin contains an SQL injection vulnerability in all versions up to 1.1.0. Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this to extract sensitive information from the database by manipulating the 'post_title' parameter. WordPress sites using this vulnerable plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- CF Internal Link Shortcode WordPress Plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise including user credentials, sensitive content, and potential privilege escalation leading to full site takeover.
Likely Case
Data exfiltration of WordPress user data, posts, comments, and potentially other plugin data stored in the database.
If Mitigated
Limited information disclosure if database permissions are properly restricted and sensitive data is encrypted.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires understanding of SQL injection techniques but is straightforward given the unauthenticated nature and clear vulnerable parameter.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 1.1.0
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/internal-link-shortcode/trunk/internal-link-shortcode.php
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'CF Internal Link Shortcode' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and delete the plugin immediately.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
WordPressDeactivate the vulnerable plugin to prevent exploitation while awaiting patch
wp plugin deactivate internal-link-shortcode
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block SQL injection patterns targeting the 'post_title' parameter
- Restrict database user permissions to SELECT only for the WordPress database user
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins for 'CF Internal Link Shortcode' version 1.1.0 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get internal-link-shortcode --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is greater than 1.1.0 or plugin is completely removed📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual database queries containing UNION, SELECT, or other SQL injection patterns in WordPress logs
- Multiple failed SQL queries from single IP addresses
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with SQL injection payloads in 'post_title' parameter to WordPress endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("UNION SELECT" OR "post_title%3D" OR sqlmap)