CVE-2024-30498: CRM Perks Forms SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2024-30498 Overview

CVE-2024-30498 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the CRM Perks Forms plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through user-controlled input, potentially leading to complete database compromise. The flaw exists in versions up to and including 1.1.4 of the plugin, where special elements in SQL commands are not properly neutralized.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to access, modify, or delete sensitive database contents, potentially compromising the entire WordPress installation and all associated user data.

Affected Products

• CRM Perks Forms WordPress Plugin versions up to and including 1.1.4
• WordPress installations running vulnerable CRM Perks Forms versions
• Any website using crmperks:crm_perks_forms component

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-03-29 - CVE-2024-30498 published to NVD
• 2025-02-07 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-30498

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands within the CRM Perks Forms plugin. The vulnerability is network-accessible and requires no authentication or user interaction to exploit. Successfully exploiting this flaw allows attackers to manipulate database queries, potentially extracting sensitive information, modifying data, or even executing administrative operations on the database server.

The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited by unauthenticated users, meaning any remote attacker can target vulnerable WordPress installations without needing valid credentials. Additionally, the scope of the vulnerability extends beyond the vulnerable component, potentially impacting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the entire WordPress system.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is inadequate input validation and sanitization in the CRM Perks Forms plugin. User-supplied input is incorporated directly into SQL queries without proper parameterization or escaping. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL syntax that gets executed by the database engine. WordPress plugins that fail to use prepared statements or the $wpdb->prepare() method for database queries are particularly susceptible to this class of vulnerability.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, allowing remote unauthenticated attackers to exploit this vulnerability. Attackers can craft malicious HTTP requests containing SQL injection payloads targeting form submission handlers or other input processing functions within the plugin. The injected SQL commands are then executed within the context of the WordPress database, allowing attackers to perform unauthorized operations such as:

• Extracting sensitive user credentials and personal information
• Modifying or deleting database records
• Elevating privileges by manipulating user roles
• Potentially achieving remote code execution through SQL features like INTO OUTFILE

The vulnerability affects form handling functionality where user input is processed and stored in the database. Attackers can leverage common SQL injection techniques including UNION-based injection, boolean-based blind injection, and time-based blind injection to extract data from the database.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-30498

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual database queries in WordPress database logs containing SQL injection patterns such as UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, or comment syntax (--, /**/)
• Unexpected database modifications or data exfiltration attempts in access logs
• HTTP request logs showing form submissions with suspicious SQL syntax in POST parameters
• Error logs containing database errors related to malformed SQL queries

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect SQL injection patterns in HTTP requests targeting WordPress form endpoints
• Monitor database query logs for anomalous queries originating from the CRM Perks Forms plugin
• Deploy intrusion detection systems (IDS) with SQL injection signature detection capabilities
• Perform regular vulnerability scans of WordPress installations to identify vulnerable plugin versions

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable WordPress debug logging and review for suspicious database activity
• Configure real-time alerting for SQL injection patterns in web server access logs
• Monitor for unauthorized access to sensitive database tables containing user credentials
• Implement database activity monitoring (DAM) solutions to track query patterns and detect anomalies

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-30498

Immediate Actions Required

• Update CRM Perks Forms plugin to a version newer than 1.1.4 immediately
• If an update is not available, deactivate and remove the vulnerable plugin until a patch is released
• Review WordPress database for signs of compromise or unauthorized modifications
• Reset passwords for all WordPress users, especially administrators

Patch Information

Organizations should update the CRM Perks Forms plugin to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability. For detailed technical information about this vulnerability and remediation guidance, refer to the Patchstack SQL Injection Advisory.

Workarounds

• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection protection rules to filter malicious requests
• Restrict access to WordPress admin and form submission endpoints via IP whitelisting where feasible
• Disable the CRM Perks Forms plugin temporarily until a patched version is installed
• Implement database-level restrictions to limit the privileges of the WordPress database user