CVE-2024-11260: Pixelite Events Manager SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2024-11260 Overview

CVE-2024-11260 is a time-based SQL Injection vulnerability in the Pixelite Events Manager plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 6.6.3. Unauthenticated attackers can inject SQL through the active_status parameter due to insufficient escaping and improper query preparation. Successful exploitation lets attackers append SQL queries to existing database statements and extract sensitive data. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command).

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can extract sensitive database contents, including user credentials and personally identifiable information, from any WordPress site running the affected plugin version.

Affected Products

Pixelite Events Manager plugin for WordPress, all versions through 6.6.3
WordPress installations using the Events Manager – Calendar, Bookings, Tickets plugin
Sites identified by CPE cpe:2.3:a:pixelite:events_manager:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*

Discovery Timeline

2025-02-21 - CVE-2024-11260 published to NVD
2025-02-25 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-11260

Vulnerability Analysis

The Events Manager plugin processes the active_status parameter without applying adequate escaping or parameterized query preparation. The vulnerable code path resides in classes/em-events.php around line 606, where user-controlled input is concatenated into a SQL query executed against the WordPress database. Because the query lacks $wpdb->prepare() placeholders for this parameter, attacker-controlled strings reach the SQL engine directly. The injection is time-based, meaning attackers infer query results by measuring response delays produced by SLEEP() or equivalent SQL timing functions. This technique allows blind extraction of arbitrary database contents one character at a time.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of user input combined with manual SQL string construction. The plugin trusts the active_status request parameter and inserts it into a SQL WHERE clause without type casting, allowlist validation, or prepared statement binding. WordPress provides $wpdb->prepare() for this exact scenario, but the affected code path bypasses it. The result is a classic CWE-89 injection point reachable by any unauthenticated visitor.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without authentication or user interaction. Attackers submit crafted HTTP requests containing SQL payloads in the active_status parameter to the public events endpoint. The payload typically embeds conditional SLEEP() calls to perform blind extraction, allowing the attacker to enumerate database schema, dump the wp_users table, and recover password hashes. No special tooling beyond a standard SQL injection client such as sqlmap is required.

For technical details on the vulnerable code path, see the WordPress Plugin Code Reference and the Wordfence Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-11260

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests containing SQL keywords such as SLEEP, BENCHMARK, UNION SELECT, or AND 1=1 in the active_status parameter
Anomalously long response times from WordPress endpoints serving event listings
Repeated requests from a single source IP iterating through character positions, indicating blind extraction
Web server access logs showing URL-encoded SQL syntax such as %27, %20OR%20, or %20SLEEP%28

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server and WordPress query logs for the active_status parameter carrying non-alphanumeric values
Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that match SQL injection signatures against query string parameters
Correlate slow database query logs with inbound HTTP requests to identify time-based injection attempts
Monitor for unusual SELECT activity against wp_users and wp_options originating from the Events Manager plugin context

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable MySQL slow query logging with a threshold below typical SLEEP() payloads (for example, 2 seconds)
Forward WordPress and database telemetry to a centralized SIEM for correlation across HTTP and SQL layers
Alert on bursts of requests to event listing URLs that exceed baseline volume from a single client
Track outbound data volume from the database host to detect bulk extraction following successful injection

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-11260

Immediate Actions Required

Update the Pixelite Events Manager plugin to a version newer than 6.6.3 once the vendor publishes a fix
Audit WordPress user accounts and rotate all administrator passwords if the plugin has been internet-exposed
Review database query logs for evidence of prior exploitation against the active_status parameter
Restrict access to the WordPress site behind a WAF or reverse proxy until patching is complete

Patch Information

At the time of NVD publication, the vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 6.6.3. Administrators should monitor the Events Manager plugin page for the next release and apply it immediately. Verify the installed version in the WordPress admin dashboard under Plugins after upgrading.

Workarounds

Deploy a WAF rule blocking SQL metacharacters in the active_status query parameter on event-related URLs
Disable or uninstall the Events Manager plugin if the patched release is not yet available and event functionality is non-critical
Place the WordPress site behind authentication or IP allowlisting until the plugin is updated
Apply database-level least privilege so the WordPress database user cannot read unrelated tables or execute administrative statements

bash

# Example ModSecurity rule to block SQL syntax in the active_status parameter
SecRule ARGS:active_status "@rx (?i)(sleep\(|benchmark\(|union\s+select|--|/\*)" \
    "id:1011260,phase:2,deny,status:403,log,\
    msg:'CVE-2024-11260 SQLi attempt in active_status parameter'"