CVE-2024-4434 – This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attac... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-4434?

CVE-2024-4434 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to perform time-based SQL injection attacks on WordPress sites using the LearnPress plugin. Attackers can extract sensitive database information like user credentials, payment details, or other confidential data. All WordPress installations with LearnPress version 4.2.6.5 or earlier are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to perform time-based SQL injection attacks on WordPress sites using the LearnPress plugin. Attackers can extract sensitive database information like user credentials, payment details, or other confidential data. All WordPress installations with LearnPress version 4.2.6.5 or earlier are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

LearnPress - WordPress LMS Plugin

Versions: Up to and including 4.2.6.5

Operating Systems: Any OS running WordPress

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All WordPress installations with vulnerable LearnPress versions are affected regardless of configuration.

📦 What is this software?

Learnpress by Thimpress

View all CVEs affecting Learnpress →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete database compromise leading to credential theft, financial data exposure, site takeover, and potential lateral movement to other systems.

🟠

Likely Case

Extraction of user data, admin credentials, and sensitive plugin information leading to site compromise.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited information disclosure if database permissions are properly restricted and WAF rules block injection attempts.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW

Time-based SQL injection requires no authentication and has public proof-of-concept available.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 4.2.6.6 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/learnpress/#developers

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find LearnPress and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify update to version 4.2.6.6 or higher.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

WAF Rule Implementation

all

Deploy web application firewall rules to block SQL injection attempts targeting the term_id parameter.

Plugin Deactivation

linux

Temporarily disable LearnPress plugin until patched version can be installed.

wp plugin deactivate learnpress

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict WAF rules to block SQL injection patterns
Restrict database user permissions to read-only where possible

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → LearnPress version. If version is 4.2.6.5 or lower, system is vulnerable.

Check Version:

wp plugin get learnpress --field=version

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm LearnPress version is 4.2.6.6 or higher in WordPress admin panel.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual SQL queries containing term_id parameter
Multiple failed SQL injection attempts
Long response times from LearnPress endpoints

Network Indicators:

HTTP requests with SQL injection payloads in term_id parameter
Unusual database query patterns from web server

SIEM Query:

source="web_logs" AND (term_id CONTAINS "SLEEP" OR term_id CONTAINS "BENCHMARK" OR term_id CONTAINS "WAITFOR")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-4434

CVSS v3 Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)

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

CWE: CWE-89

Published: May 14, 2024

Last Updated: January 15, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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