CVE-2024-5765
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands on WordPress sites using the WpStickyBar plugin. Attackers can potentially read, modify, or delete database content, including sensitive user data. All WordPress installations with vulnerable versions of the WpStickyBar plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WpStickyBar WordPress Plugin
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise leading to data theft, site defacement, privilege escalation, and potential remote code execution via database functions.
Likely Case
Data exfiltration of sensitive information (user credentials, personal data), database manipulation, and potential site takeover.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper WAF rules block SQL injection patterns or if the plugin is disabled.
🎯 Exploit Status
SQL injection via AJAX endpoint available to unauthenticated users makes exploitation trivial for attackers.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.1.1 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/0b73f84c-611e-4681-b362-35e721478ba4/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find WpStickyBar and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify plugin version is 2.1.1 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable WpStickyBar Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched.
wp plugin deactivate wp-sticky-bar
Block AJAX Endpoint via WAF
allConfigure WAF to block requests to the vulnerable AJAX endpoint.
Block requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with action parameter containing 'wp_sticky_bar'
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable the WpStickyBar plugin immediately
- Implement strict WAF rules to block SQL injection patterns targeting the vulnerable endpoint
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins for WpStickyBar version 2.1.0 or earlier.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name=wp-sticky-bar --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify WpStickyBar plugin version is 2.1.1 or higher in WordPress admin.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL errors in WordPress logs
- Multiple POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with SQL-like parameters
- Unexpected database queries from web server process
Network Indicators:
- POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with SQL injection payloads in parameters
- Unusual database connection patterns from web server
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("admin-ajax.php" AND ("wp_sticky_bar" OR "SQL syntax" OR "database error"))