CVE-2024-38692 Overview
CVE-2024-38692 is a SQL Injection vulnerability [CWE-89] in the Spiffy Calendar WordPress plugin developed by Spiffy Plugins. The flaw affects all plugin versions up to and including 4.9.11. Attackers with high-privilege access to the WordPress instance can inject arbitrary SQL statements through improperly neutralized input passed to backend database queries. Successful exploitation compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the underlying WordPress database. The issue is tracked under Patchstack SQL Injection Advisory.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary SQL statements against the WordPress database, enabling data theft, content tampering, and full database compromise.
Affected Products
- Spiffy Plugins Spiffy Calendar for WordPress
- All versions from initial release through 4.9.11
- WordPress deployments with the plugin installed and active
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-07-22 - CVE-2024-38692 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-38692
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands within the Spiffy Calendar plugin. The plugin accepts user-supplied input and concatenates it into SQL queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization. Attackers can craft payloads containing SQL metacharacters that alter the intended query logic.
Exploitation requires network access to the WordPress site and high-privilege authentication. Once conditions are met, the attacker can read, modify, or delete arbitrary data in the WordPress database. The consequence extends beyond calendar data since the plugin executes queries against the shared WordPress database that stores users, posts, options, and session state.
The EPSS probability for this CVE is 0.717%, placing it in the 50th percentile of published vulnerabilities for likelihood of exploitation.
Root Cause
The plugin fails to apply proper input validation and prepared statements to parameters used in database queries. Instead of using WordPress helper functions such as $wpdb->prepare() with placeholders, the affected code paths concatenate untrusted values directly into SQL strings, allowing attacker-controlled tokens to change query semantics.
Attack Vector
An authenticated attacker with high privileges sends crafted HTTP requests containing SQL syntax through the vulnerable plugin parameter. The malicious payload is passed to the database layer, where the injected SQL executes with the privileges of the WordPress database user. Because no user interaction is required beyond the attacker's own session, the vector is scriptable and repeatable.
See the Patchstack SQL Injection Advisory for technical details on the affected parameters.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-38692
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, BENCHMARK(, or INFORMATION_SCHEMA tokens in WordPress access logs targeting Spiffy Calendar endpoints
- New administrator accounts or modified wp_users and wp_usermeta records without a corresponding admin action
- Anomalous outbound queries or high-volume SELECT operations originating from the WordPress database user
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server and WAF logs for SQL metacharacters in request parameters directed at Spiffy Calendar plugin routes
- Correlate authenticated admin sessions with database query anomalies to identify abuse of legitimate credentials
- Monitor MySQL general or slow query logs for query patterns that reference plugin tables alongside unrelated core WordPress tables
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress audit logging to track plugin activity, option changes, and user role modifications
- Alert on failed and successful admin logins from unusual geolocations or IP ranges
- Baseline plugin-generated queries and flag deviations in query structure or frequency
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-38692
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Spiffy Calendar plugin to a version later than 4.9.11 as soon as a fixed release is available from the vendor
- Restrict administrative access to the WordPress dashboard using IP allowlists and multi-factor authentication
- Rotate credentials for any WordPress accounts that could have interacted with the vulnerable plugin
Patch Information
Refer to the Patchstack SQL Injection Advisory for the latest patch status and remediation guidance from Spiffy Plugins. Verify the installed plugin version in the WordPress admin under Plugins after applying updates.
Workarounds
- Deactivate and remove the Spiffy Calendar plugin until a patched version is confirmed installed
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall rule that blocks SQL metacharacters on requests targeting the plugin's endpoints
- Reduce the number of accounts holding administrator or editor roles to shrink the pool of users who can reach the vulnerable code path
# Configuration example: identify installed Spiffy Calendar version via WP-CLI
wp plugin get spiffy-calendar --field=version
wp plugin update spiffy-calendar
wp plugin deactivate spiffy-calendar # if no patched version is available
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
