CVE-2024-13909
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated WordPress administrators to perform time-based SQL injection attacks through the 'orderby' parameter in the Accredible Certificates plugin. Attackers can extract sensitive database information by injecting malicious SQL queries. Only WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of the Accredible Certificates & Open Badges plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Accredible Certificates & Open Badges 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
Administrator-level attackers could extract sensitive data including user credentials, personal information, or other database contents, potentially leading to full site compromise.
Likely Case
Malicious administrators or compromised admin accounts could extract sensitive user data or plugin-specific information from the database.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact is limited to authorized administrators who would already have significant system access.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires administrator access and knowledge of SQL injection techniques. Time-based attacks are slower but can bypass some detection mechanisms.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.5.0 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/accredible-certificates/#developers
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins
3. Find 'Accredible Certificates & Open Badges'
4. Click 'Update Now' if update is available
5. Alternatively, download version 1.5.0+ from WordPress plugin repository and manually update
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Vulnerable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate accredible-certificates
Restrict Admin Access
allImplement strict access controls and monitoring for administrator accounts
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block SQL injection patterns
- Enable database query logging and monitor for unusual SQL patterns from admin users
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Accredible Certificates & Open Badges → Version numberCheck Version:
wp plugin get accredible-certificates --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.5.0 or higher in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusually long database query execution times from admin users
- Multiple similar SQL queries with different ORDER BY clauses from same admin session
Network Indicators:
- Repeated requests to users_list.php with varying orderby parameters from authenticated sessions
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND "orderby" AND ("SLEEP" OR "BENCHMARK" OR "WAITFOR")