CVE-2024-49303
📋 TL;DR
This SQL injection vulnerability in the Hero Mega Menu WordPress plugin allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the database. All WordPress sites using affected versions of this plugin are vulnerable, potentially exposing sensitive data like user credentials, personal information, and site content.
💻 Affected Systems
- Hero Mega Menu - Responsive WordPress Menu 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 leading to data theft, privilege escalation, site defacement, or complete site takeover via administrative access.
Likely Case
Data exfiltration of sensitive information from the WordPress database including user credentials, personal data, and site content.
If Mitigated
Limited data exposure if database permissions are properly restricted and input validation is implemented elsewhere.
🎯 Exploit Status
SQL injection typically requires some level of access or interaction with the vulnerable component, but specific exploit details are not publicly documented.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 1.16.5
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/hmenu/vulnerability/wordpress-hero-menu-plugin-1-16-5-sql-injection-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins. 3. Find 'Hero Mega Menu - Responsive WordPress Menu Plugin'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. If no update is available, deactivate and delete the plugin immediately.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Plugin Deactivation
WordPressTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin to prevent exploitation
wp plugin deactivate hmenu
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block SQL injection patterns
- Restrict database user permissions to minimum required access
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Hero Mega Menu plugin version. If version is 1.16.5 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name='Hero Mega Menu' --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is higher than 1.16.5 in WordPress admin panel or via 'wp plugin list' command.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL queries in database logs
- Multiple failed login attempts from single IP
- Unexpected database errors in WordPress logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with SQL syntax in parameters
- Unusual traffic patterns to plugin-specific endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND "SQL syntax" OR "database error" AND "hmenu" OR "hero-mega-menu"