CVE-2024-39653 Overview
CVE-2024-39653 is a SQL injection vulnerability in the E4J s.R.L. VikRentCar WordPress plugin, a car rental management system. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 1.4.0 and stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands [CWE-89]. Unauthenticated attackers can inject arbitrary SQL statements through vulnerable plugin parameters, leading to database compromise. The issue is tracked under the CWE-89 weakness category and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the underlying WordPress database.
Critical Impact
Remote unauthenticated attackers can execute arbitrary SQL queries against the WordPress database, exposing sensitive data, modifying records, and potentially achieving full site compromise.
Affected Products
- E4J s.R.L. VikRentCar plugin for WordPress
- VikRentCar versions from n/a through 1.4.0
- WordPress installations using the Car Rental Management System plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-08-29 - CVE-2024-39653 published to NVD
- 2024-09-13 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-39653
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the VikRentCar plugin's handling of user-supplied input passed to SQL queries. The plugin fails to sanitize or parameterize input before concatenating it into database queries executed by WordPress. Attackers exploit this flaw by submitting crafted HTTP requests containing malicious SQL payloads.
The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without authentication or user interaction. Successful exploitation results in arbitrary SQL query execution against the WordPress backend database, typically MySQL or MariaDB. This enables data exfiltration, privileged account creation, and stored cross-site scripting through injected database content.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands [CWE-89]. The plugin concatenates untrusted input directly into SQL statements without prepared statements or proper escaping using WordPress functions such as $wpdb->prepare(). This violates secure coding practices for the WordPress Database Abstraction Layer.
Attack Vector
An unauthenticated remote attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to a vulnerable VikRentCar endpoint. The request contains SQL metacharacters or UNION-based payloads in parameters processed by the plugin. The injected SQL executes with the privileges of the WordPress database user, granting access to all WordPress tables including wp_users and wp_options.
No specific exploit code is publicly available for this vulnerability. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-39653
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to VikRentCar plugin endpoints containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, or comment sequences -- and /*
- Unexpected administrative user accounts in the wp_users table
- Anomalous outbound database queries or extended query execution times in MySQL slow query logs
- Web server access logs showing repeated requests to VikRentCar URLs with encoded payloads
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web application firewall (WAF) logs for SQL injection signatures targeting /wp-content/plugins/vikrentcar/ paths
- Review MySQL general query logs for UNION, INFORMATION_SCHEMA, or time-based payloads originating from the WordPress application user
- Correlate HTTP 500 responses from VikRentCar endpoints with subsequent successful requests indicating blind SQL injection probing
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging on the WordPress site and forward access logs to a centralized SIEM for SQL injection pattern matching
- Monitor changes to WordPress administrative accounts and role assignments in real time
- Track plugin version inventory across managed WordPress sites to identify hosts running VikRentCar 1.4.0 or earlier
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-39653
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress instances running VikRentCar version 1.4.0 or earlier and prioritize patching
- Update VikRentCar to a fixed version released after 1.4.0 per the vendor advisory
- Deploy WAF rules blocking SQL injection patterns targeting VikRentCar plugin parameters
- Audit the wp_users table for unauthorized accounts and rotate administrator credentials
Patch Information
The vendor has released a patched version addressing the SQL injection flaw. Administrators should consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the fixed release version and upgrade VikRentCar through the WordPress plugin manager or by replacing plugin files via SFTP.
Workarounds
- Disable and remove the VikRentCar plugin until a patched version can be installed
- Restrict access to VikRentCar endpoints by IP allowlist at the web server or WAF layer
- Apply virtual patching through Patchstack or equivalent WordPress security platforms to block known injection payloads
# Update VikRentCar via WP-CLI
wp plugin update vikrentcar --version=<patched-version>
# Verify installed plugin version
wp plugin get vikrentcar --field=version
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
