CVE-2024-13232
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in the WordPress Awesome Import & Export Plugin allows authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access or higher to execute arbitrary SQL statements. Attackers can leverage this to create new administrative user accounts, leading to complete site compromise. All WordPress sites using this plugin up to version 4.1.1 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Awesome Import & Export Plugin - Import & Export WordPress Data
⚠️ 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 site takeover where attackers gain administrative access, install backdoors, steal sensitive data, deface the site, or use it for further attacks.
Likely Case
Attackers create hidden admin accounts to maintain persistent access, then escalate privileges to execute arbitrary code or exfiltrate database contents.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, unauthorized admin account creation would be detected and blocked before significant damage occurs.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but only Subscriber-level privileges. SQL injection can be leveraged to create admin users via WordPress database manipulation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version 4.1.2 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://codecanyon.net/item/wordpress-awesome-import-export-plugin-v-24/12896266
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Awesome Import & Export Plugin'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update is available. 5. Alternatively, download latest version from CodeCanyon and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate awesome-import-export
Restrict User Registration
allTemporarily disable new user registration to prevent exploitation
wp option update users_can_register 0
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for unauthorized admin user creation
- Deploy web application firewall with SQL injection protection rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins. Look for 'Awesome Import & Export Plugin' version 4.1.1 or earlier.Check Version:
wp plugin get awesome-import-export --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 4.1.2 or later in WordPress admin panel. Test that only administrators can access import/export functions.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected SQL queries in WordPress debug logs
- New administrator user creation from non-admin accounts
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful admin creation
Network Indicators:
- POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with SQL payloads
- Unusual database connection patterns from web server
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("INSERT INTO wp_users" OR "CREATE USER" OR "GRANT ADMIN") AND NOT user_role="administrator"