CVE-2024-12473
📋 TL;DR
This SQL injection vulnerability in the AI Scribe WordPress plugin allows authenticated attackers with Contributor-level access or higher to execute arbitrary SQL queries. Attackers can extract sensitive database information including user credentials, plugin settings, and other WordPress data. All WordPress sites using AI Scribe plugin versions up to 2.3 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- AI Scribe – SEO AI Writer, Content Generator, Humanizer, Blog Writer, SEO Optimizer, DALLE-3, AI WordPress Plugin ChatGPT (GPT-4o 128K)
⚠️ 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 leading to credential theft, privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and potential site takeover.
Likely Case
Extraction of sensitive plugin data, user information, and potential access to WordPress configuration details.
If Mitigated
Limited impact due to proper input validation, parameterized queries, and minimal user privileges.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but uses simple SQL injection techniques. The vulnerability is well-documented in security advisories.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.4 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/ai-scribe-the-chatgpt-powered-seo-content-creation-wizard/trunk/article_builder.php
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find AI Scribe plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. Alternatively, download version 2.4+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable shortcode
allRemove or disable the 'article_builder_generate_data' shortcode usage on your site
Edit WordPress theme files to remove [article_builder_generate_data] shortcode usage
Restrict user roles
allTemporarily remove Contributor and higher roles from untrusted users
Navigate to Users → All Users in WordPress admin, edit user roles
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection rules
- Disable the AI Scribe plugin entirely until patched
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for AI Scribe version. If version is 2.3 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get ai-scribe-the-chatgpt-powered-seo-content-creation-wizard --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify plugin version shows 2.4 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL queries in WordPress debug logs
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by SQL-like patterns in requests
- Unexpected database queries from Contributor-level users
Network Indicators:
- POST requests to WordPress containing SQL injection patterns in template_id parameter
- Unusual database connection patterns from web server
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("template_id" AND ("UNION" OR "SELECT" OR "INSERT" OR "UPDATE" OR "DELETE" OR "--" OR "' OR"))