CVE-2024-38693: WP User Frontend SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2024-38693 Overview

CVE-2024-38693 is a SQL Injection vulnerability in the weDevs WP User Frontend plugin for WordPress. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands [CWE-89]. The vulnerability affects all versions of WP User Frontend from an unspecified initial release through version 4.0.7. An authenticated attacker with high privileges can inject arbitrary SQL statements into database queries. Successful exploitation can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the underlying WordPress database.

Critical Impact
Attackers with high-privilege access can execute arbitrary SQL statements, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify database records, and disrupt WordPress site operations.

Affected Products

weDevs WP User Frontend plugin for WordPress (all versions through 4.0.7)
WordPress installations with the vulnerable plugin activated
Sites using WP User Frontend for user registration and profile management

Discovery Timeline

2024-08-29 - CVE-2024-38693 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-38693

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the WP User Frontend plugin, which provides front-end user registration, profile editing, and content submission capabilities for WordPress. The plugin fails to properly sanitize or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This omission allows attackers with authenticated high-privilege access to manipulate query logic. The exploit executes over the network without any user interaction required.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, classified as [CWE-89]. The plugin concatenates user-controlled input directly into SQL statements instead of using prepared statements or the WordPress $wpdb->prepare() API. This coding pattern permits attackers to break out of intended query context and inject arbitrary SQL clauses. The issue affects code paths accessible to authenticated users with elevated permissions in WP User Frontend versions through 4.0.7.

Attack Vector

An authenticated attacker sends crafted HTTP requests containing malicious SQL payloads to vulnerable plugin endpoints. Because the plugin embeds these payloads into database queries without sanitization, the injected SQL executes with the privileges of the WordPress database user. Attackers can extract user credentials, session tokens, and post metadata. They can also modify records, escalate privileges within the application, or drop tables to cause denial of service. Refer to the Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability advisory for technical details on the affected parameter and injection point.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-38693

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected SQL syntax such as UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, or information_schema references in WordPress access logs
HTTP POST or GET requests to WP User Frontend endpoints containing quote characters, comment markers (--, #), or boolean logic operators
Anomalous database query execution times or high-volume SELECT operations against wp_users and wp_usermeta
Newly created administrator accounts or unexpected modifications to user role metadata

Detection Strategies

Review WordPress and web server access logs for suspicious query strings targeting WP User Frontend routes
Enable MySQL general query logging temporarily to capture injection attempts against plugin-related tables
Deploy a web application firewall with SQL injection signatures tuned for WordPress plugin endpoints
Monitor plugin file integrity and database schema changes for unauthorized modifications

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on requests to WP User Frontend endpoints containing common SQL injection payload patterns
Track authentication events for high-privilege accounts that subsequently issue plugin API requests
Correlate WordPress wp-login.php activity with follow-on requests to WP User Frontend for suspicious sessions

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-38693

Immediate Actions Required

Update WP User Frontend to a patched version above 4.0.7 as soon as the vendor release is verified
Audit all WordPress user accounts with administrator or editor privileges and rotate credentials where compromise is suspected
Restrict access to WordPress admin endpoints using IP allowlisting or additional authentication factors
Review database logs for evidence of prior exploitation attempts

Patch Information

The vulnerability affects WP User Frontend versions through 4.0.7. Site administrators should consult the Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability advisory for the fixed version and apply the update through the WordPress plugin manager. Verify the plugin version after update to confirm remediation.

Workarounds

Deactivate the WP User Frontend plugin until a patched version is installed if the plugin is not business-critical
Deploy a web application firewall rule blocking SQL metacharacters in requests to WP User Frontend endpoints
Restrict database user privileges so the WordPress database account cannot execute DROP, ALTER, or cross-database queries
Enforce strong authentication and reduce the number of accounts holding high-privilege WordPress roles

bash

# Configuration example - WordPress CLI patch workflow
wp plugin update wp-user-frontend
wp plugin get wp-user-frontend --field=version