Vulnerabilities > CVE-2017-16510 - SQL Injection vulnerability in Wordpress

047910
CVSS 9.8 - CRITICAL
Attack vector
NETWORK
Attack complexity
LOW
Privileges required
NONE
Confidentiality impact
HIGH
Integrity impact
HIGH
Availability impact
HIGH
network
low complexity
wordpress
CWE-89
critical
nessus
NVD
Published: 2017-11-02
Updated: 2024-11-21

Summary

WordPress before 4.8.3 is affected by an issue where $wpdb->prepare() can create unexpected and unsafe queries leading to potential SQL injection (SQLi) in plugins and themes, as demonstrated by a "double prepare" approach, a different vulnerability than CVE-2017-14723.

Vulnerable Configurations

Part Description Count
Application
Wordpress
757

Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE)

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Command Line Execution through SQL Injection
    An attacker uses standard SQL injection methods to inject data into the command line for execution. This could be done directly through misuse of directives such as MSSQL_xp_cmdshell or indirectly through injection of data into the database that would be interpreted as shell commands. Sometime later, an unscrupulous backend application (or could be part of the functionality of the same application) fetches the injected data stored in the database and uses this data as command line arguments without performing proper validation. The malicious data escapes that data plane by spawning new commands to be executed on the host.
  • Object Relational Mapping Injection
    An attacker leverages a weakness present in the database access layer code generated with an Object Relational Mapping (ORM) tool or a weakness in the way that a developer used a persistence framework to inject his or her own SQL commands to be executed against the underlying database. The attack here is similar to plain SQL injection, except that the application does not use JDBC to directly talk to the database, but instead it uses a data access layer generated by an ORM tool or framework (e.g. Hibernate). While most of the time code generated by an ORM tool contains safe access methods that are immune to SQL injection, sometimes either due to some weakness in the generated code or due to the fact that the developer failed to use the generated access methods properly, SQL injection is still possible.
  • SQL Injection through SOAP Parameter Tampering
    An attacker modifies the parameters of the SOAP message that is sent from the service consumer to the service provider to initiate a SQL injection attack. On the service provider side, the SOAP message is parsed and parameters are not properly validated before being used to access a database in a way that does not use parameter binding, thus enabling the attacker to control the structure of the executed SQL query. This pattern describes a SQL injection attack with the delivery mechanism being a SOAP message.
  • Expanding Control over the Operating System from the Database
    An attacker is able to leverage access gained to the database to read / write data to the file system, compromise the operating system, create a tunnel for accessing the host machine, and use this access to potentially attack other machines on the same network as the database machine. Traditionally SQL injections attacks are viewed as a way to gain unauthorized read access to the data stored in the database, modify the data in the database, delete the data, etc. However, almost every data base management system (DBMS) system includes facilities that if compromised allow an attacker complete access to the file system, operating system, and full access to the host running the database. The attacker can then use this privileged access to launch subsequent attacks. These facilities include dropping into a command shell, creating user defined functions that can call system level libraries present on the host machine, stored procedures, etc.
  • SQL Injection
    This attack exploits target software that constructs SQL statements based on user input. An attacker crafts input strings so that when the target software constructs SQL statements based on the input, the resulting SQL statement performs actions other than those the application intended. SQL Injection results from failure of the application to appropriately validate input. When specially crafted user-controlled input consisting of SQL syntax is used without proper validation as part of SQL queries, it is possible to glean information from the database in ways not envisaged during application design. Depending upon the database and the design of the application, it may also be possible to leverage injection to have the database execute system-related commands of the attackers' choice. SQL Injection enables an attacker to talk directly to the database, thus bypassing the application completely. Successful injection can cause information disclosure as well as ability to add or modify data in the database. In order to successfully inject SQL and retrieve information from a database, an attacker:

Nessus

  • NASL familyCGI abuses
    NASL idWORDPRESS_4_8_3.NASL
    descriptionAccording to its self-reported version number, the WordPress application running on the remote web server is prior to 4.8.3. It is, therefore, affected by a SQL Injection vulnerability and other vulnerabilities: - WordPress through 4.8.2 uses a weak MD5-based password hashing algorithm, which makes it easier for attackers to determine cleartext values by leveraging access to the hash values. - WordPress through 4.8.2, when domain-based flashmediaelement.swf sandboxing is not used, allows remote attackers to conduct cross-domain Flash injection (XSF) attacks by leveraging code contained within the wp-includes/js/mediaelement/flashmediaelement.swf file.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id104356
    published2017-11-02
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2017-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/104356
    titleWordPress < 4.8.3 Multiple Vulnerabilities
    code
    #
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(104356);
  script_version("1.8");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/03/29  9:51:59");

  script_cve_id(
    "CVE-2012-6707",
    "CVE-2016-9263",
    "CVE-2017-14723",
    "CVE-2017-16510"
  );
  script_bugtraq_id(101638);

  script_name(english:"WordPress < 4.8.3 Multiple Vulnerabilities");
  script_summary(english:"Checks the version of WordPress.");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"A PHP application running on the remote web server is affected a
SQL injection vulnerability.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
"According to its self-reported version number, the WordPress
application running on the remote web server is prior to 4.8.3.
It is, therefore, affected by a SQL Injection vulnerability and other
vulnerabilities:

  - WordPress through 4.8.2 uses a weak MD5-based
    password hashing algorithm, which makes it easier for
    attackers to determine cleartext values by leveraging
    access to the hash values.

  - WordPress through 4.8.2, when domain-based
    flashmediaelement.swf sandboxing is not used, allows
    remote attackers to conduct cross-domain Flash
    injection (XSF) attacks by leveraging code contained
    within the wp-includes/js/mediaelement/flashmediaelement.swf
    file."
  );
  # https://wordpress.org/news/2017/10/wordpress-4-8-3-security-release/
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?31328bd3");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://codex.wordpress.org/Version_4.8.3");
  # https://blog.ircmaxell.com/2017/10/disclosure-wordpress-wpdb-sql-injection-technical.html
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?73b7e2df");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
"Upgrade to WordPress version 4.8.3 or later.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:U/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H");
  script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:U/RL:O/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss_score_source", value:"CVE-2017-16510");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"No exploit is required");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"false");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2017/10/31");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2017/10/31");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2017/11/02");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"remote");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:wordpress:wordpress");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"potential_vulnerability", value:"true");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_family(english:"CGI abuses");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2017-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");

  script_dependencies("wordpress_detect.nasl");
  script_require_keys("www/PHP", "installed_sw/WordPress", "Settings/ParanoidReport");
  script_require_ports("Services/www", 80, 443);

  exit(0);
}

include("vcf.inc");
include("http.inc");

if (report_paranoia < 2) audit(AUDIT_PARANOID);

app = "WordPress";
port = get_http_port(default:80, php:TRUE);

app_info = vcf::get_app_info(app:app, port:port, webapp:TRUE);
vcf::check_granularity(app_info:app_info, sig_segments:2);

constraints = [
  { "fixed_version":"3.7.23", "fixed_display" : "3.7.23 / 4.8.3" },
  { "min_version":"3.8", "fixed_version":"3.8.23", "fixed_display" : "3.8.23 / 4.8.3" },
  { "min_version":"3.9", "fixed_version":"3.9.21", "fixed_display" : "3.9.21 / 4.8.3" },
  { "min_version":"4.0", "fixed_version":"4.0.20", "fixed_display" : "4.0.20 / 4.8.3" },
  { "min_version":"4.1", "fixed_version":"4.1.20", "fixed_display" : "4.1.20 / 4.8.3" },
  { "min_version":"4.2", "fixed_version":"4.2.17", "fixed_display" : "4.2.17 / 4.8.3" },
  { "min_version":"4.3", "fixed_version":"4.3.13", "fixed_display" : "4.3.13 / 4.8.3" },
  { "min_version":"4.4", "fixed_version":"4.4.12", "fixed_display" : "4.4.12 / 4.8.3" },
  { "min_version":"4.5", "fixed_version":"4.5.11", "fixed_display" : "4.5.11 / 4.8.3" },
  { "min_version":"4.6", "fixed_version":"4.6.8", "fixed_display" : "4.6.8 / 4.8.3" },
  { "min_version":"4.7", "fixed_version":"4.7.7", "fixed_display" : "4.7.7 / 4.8.3" },
  { "min_version":"4.8", "fixed_version":"4.8.3", "fixed_display" : "4.8.3" }
];

vcf::check_version_and_report(
  app_info:app_info,
  constraints:constraints,
  severity:SECURITY_HOLE,
  flags:{sqli:TRUE}
);
  • NASL familyDebian Local Security Checks
    NASL idDEBIAN_DSA-4090.NASL
    descriptionSeveral vulnerabilities were discovered in Wordpress, a web blogging tool. They allowed remote attackers to perform SQL injections and various Cross-Side Scripting (XSS) and Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) attacks, as well as bypass some access restrictions.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id106109
    published2018-01-18
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2018 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/106109
    titleDebian DSA-4090-1 : wordpress - security update
    code
    #
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#
# The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were  
# extracted from Debian Security Advisory DSA-4090. The text 
# itself is copyright (C) Software in the Public Interest, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(106109);
  script_version("3.6");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2018/11/13 12:30:46");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2017-16510", "CVE-2017-17091", "CVE-2017-17092", "CVE-2017-17093", "CVE-2017-17094", "CVE-2017-9066");
  script_xref(name:"DSA", value:"4090");

  script_name(english:"Debian DSA-4090-1 : wordpress - security update");
  script_summary(english:"Checks dpkg output for the updated package");

  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"synopsis", 
    value:"The remote Debian host is missing a security-related update."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"description", 
    value:
"Several vulnerabilities were discovered in Wordpress, a web blogging
tool. They allowed remote attackers to perform SQL injections and
various Cross-Side Scripting (XSS) and Server-Side Request Forgery
(SSRF) attacks, as well as bypass some access restrictions."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=862816"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=883314"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=880528"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/source-package/wordpress"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://packages.debian.org/source/jessie/wordpress"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://packages.debian.org/source/stretch/wordpress"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4090"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"solution", 
    value:
"Upgrade the wordpress packages.

For the oldstable distribution (jessie), these problems have been
fixed in version 4.1+dfsg-1+deb8u16.

For the stable distribution (stretch), these problems have been fixed
in version 4.7.5+dfsg-2+deb9u2."
  );
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:debian:debian_linux:wordpress");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:debian:debian_linux:8.0");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:debian:debian_linux:9.0");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2018/01/17");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2018/01/18");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2018 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");
  script_family(english:"Debian Local Security Checks");

  script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/Debian/release", "Host/Debian/dpkg-l");

  exit(0);
}


include("audit.inc");
include("debian_package.inc");


if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
if (!get_kb_item("Host/Debian/release")) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "Debian");
if (!get_kb_item("Host/Debian/dpkg-l")) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);


flag = 0;
if (deb_check(release:"8.0", prefix:"wordpress", reference:"4.1+dfsg-1+deb8u16")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"8.0", prefix:"wordpress-l10n", reference:"4.1+dfsg-1+deb8u16")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"8.0", prefix:"wordpress-theme-twentyfifteen", reference:"4.1+dfsg-1+deb8u16")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"8.0", prefix:"wordpress-theme-twentyfourteen", reference:"4.1+dfsg-1+deb8u16")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"8.0", prefix:"wordpress-theme-twentythirteen", reference:"4.1+dfsg-1+deb8u16")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"9.0", prefix:"wordpress", reference:"4.7.5+dfsg-2+deb9u2")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"9.0", prefix:"wordpress-l10n", reference:"4.7.5+dfsg-2+deb9u2")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"9.0", prefix:"wordpress-theme-twentyfifteen", reference:"4.7.5+dfsg-2+deb9u2")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"9.0", prefix:"wordpress-theme-twentyseventeen", reference:"4.7.5+dfsg-2+deb9u2")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"9.0", prefix:"wordpress-theme-twentysixteen", reference:"4.7.5+dfsg-2+deb9u2")) flag++;

if (flag)
{
  if (report_verbosity > 0) security_hole(port:0, extra:deb_report_get());
  else security_hole(0);
  exit(0);
}
else audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, "affected");
  • NASL familyDebian Local Security Checks
    NASL idDEBIAN_DLA-1160.NASL
    descriptionWordPress, a web blogging tool, was affected by an issue where $wpdb->prepare() can create unexpected and unsafe queries leading to potential SQL injection (SQLi) in plugins and themes, as demonstrated by a
    last seen2020-03-17
    modified2017-11-06
    plugin id104398
    published2017-11-06
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2017-2020 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/104398
    titleDebian DLA-1160-1 : wordpress security update
    code
    #%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 80502
#
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#
# The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were
# extracted from Debian Security Advisory DLA-1160-1. The text
# itself is copyright (C) Software in the Public Interest, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(104398);
  script_version("3.4");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_modification_date", value:"2020/03/12");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2017-16510");

  script_name(english:"Debian DLA-1160-1 : wordpress security update");
  script_summary(english:"Checks dpkg output for the updated packages.");

  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"synopsis", 
    value:"The remote Debian host is missing a security update."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"description", 
    value:
"WordPress, a web blogging tool, was affected by an issue where
$wpdb->prepare() can create unexpected and unsafe queries leading to
potential SQL injection (SQLi) in plugins and themes, as demonstrated
by a 'double prepare' approach, a different vulnerability than
CVE-2017-14723.

For Debian 7 'Wheezy', these problems have been fixed in version
3.6.1+dfsg-1~deb7u18.

We recommend that you upgrade your wordpress packages.

NOTE: Tenable Network Security has extracted the preceding description
block directly from the DLA security advisory. Tenable has attempted
to automatically clean and format it as much as possible without
introducing additional issues."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2017/11/msg00003.html"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://packages.debian.org/source/wheezy/wordpress"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"solution", 
    value:"Upgrade the affected wordpress, and wordpress-l10n packages."
  );
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:U/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H");
  script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:U/RL:O/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"No known exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"false");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:debian:debian_linux:wordpress");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:debian:debian_linux:wordpress-l10n");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:debian:debian_linux:7.0");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2017/11/04");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2017/11/06");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2017-2020 Tenable Network Security, Inc.");
  script_family(english:"Debian Local Security Checks");

  script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/Debian/release", "Host/Debian/dpkg-l");

  exit(0);
}


include("audit.inc");
include("debian_package.inc");


if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
if (!get_kb_item("Host/Debian/release")) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "Debian");
if (!get_kb_item("Host/Debian/dpkg-l")) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);


flag = 0;
if (deb_check(release:"7.0", prefix:"wordpress", reference:"3.6.1+dfsg-1~deb7u18")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"7.0", prefix:"wordpress-l10n", reference:"3.6.1+dfsg-1~deb7u18")) flag++;

if (flag)
{
  if (report_verbosity > 0) security_hole(port:0, extra:deb_report_get());
  else security_hole(0);
  exit(0);
}
else audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, "affected");

References