CVE-2024-6265 – This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attac... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-6265?

CVE-2024-6265 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 UsersWP plugin. Attackers can extract sensitive database information by manipulating the 'uwp_sort_by' parameter. All WordPress sites running UsersWP version 1.2.10 or earlier are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to perform time-based SQL injection attacks on WordPress sites using the UsersWP plugin. Attackers can extract sensitive database information by manipulating the 'uwp_sort_by' parameter. All WordPress sites running UsersWP version 1.2.10 or earlier are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

UsersWP - Front-end login form, User Registration, User Profile & Members Directory plugin for WordPress

Versions: All versions up to and including 1.2.10

Operating Systems: All operating systems running WordPress

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All WordPress installations with the vulnerable plugin version are affected regardless of configuration.

📦 What is this software?

Userswp by Ayecode

View all CVEs affecting Userswp →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete database compromise including user credentials, personal data, and administrative access leading to site takeover.

🟠

Likely Case

Extraction of sensitive user data (emails, hashed passwords, personal information) and potential privilege escalation.

🟢

If Mitigated

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

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - The vulnerable parameter is accessible to unauthenticated users on public WordPress sites.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal WordPress sites are still vulnerable but have reduced attack surface.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW

Time-based SQL injection requires no authentication and can be automated with readily available tools.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 1.2.11 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3106884/

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find UsersWP plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update is available. 5. Alternatively, download version 1.2.11+ from WordPress repository and manually update.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable UsersWP Plugin

all

Temporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched.

wp plugin deactivate userswp

WAF Rule Implementation

all

Add web application firewall rules to block SQL injection attempts on uwp_sort_by parameter.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict input validation and parameterized queries at application level
Deploy web application firewall with SQL injection protection rules

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → UsersWP version number. If version is 1.2.10 or earlier, you are vulnerable.

Check Version:

wp plugin get userswp --field=version

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify UsersWP plugin version is 1.2.11 or later in WordPress admin panel.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual SQL queries containing uwp_sort_by parameter
Multiple failed SQL injection attempts in web server logs
Long response times from specific endpoints (time-based injection indicator)

Network Indicators:

HTTP requests with SQL injection payloads in uwp_sort_by parameter
Repeated requests to UsersWP endpoints with varying parameters

SIEM Query:

source="web_server_logs" AND (uwp_sort_by AND (SELECT OR SLEEP OR UNION OR --))

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-6265

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: June 29, 2024

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

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