CVE-2024-4779 Overview
CVE-2024-4779 is a SQL injection vulnerability [CWE-89] in the Unlimited Elements For Elementor (Free Widgets, Addons, Templates) plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 1.5.107. The vulnerability exists in the data[post_ids][0] parameter due to insufficient escaping of user-supplied input and inadequate preparation of the underlying SQL query. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or above can append additional SQL queries to extract sensitive data from the WordPress database.
Critical Impact
Authenticated contributors can execute arbitrary SQL queries against the WordPress database, exposing credentials, session tokens, and other confidential records.
Affected Products
- Unlimited Elements For Elementor plugin for WordPress, versions up to and including 1.5.107
- WordPress sites running the vulnerable plugin with contributor-level user registration enabled
- Multi-author WordPress environments using the affected plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-05-23 - CVE-2024-4779 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-4779
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of the data[post_ids][0] request parameter. User-supplied input is concatenated into a SQL statement without sufficient escaping or parameterized preparation. This allows an authenticated attacker to break out of the intended query context and append additional SQL clauses.
Exploitation requires authentication at the contributor role or higher. WordPress installations that permit user registration or that manage many low-privilege contributors face elevated exposure. The attacker leverages a valid session to reach the plugin endpoint that consumes the post_ids parameter.
Successful exploitation permits extraction of arbitrary data from the WordPress database, including user password hashes stored in wp_users, session tokens in wp_usermeta, and API keys held in the wp_options table. The attacker can chain the disclosed credentials to escalate privileges to administrator.
Root Cause
The root cause is a failure to use prepared statements and parameter binding when incorporating the post_ids array into an SQL query. The plugin relies on direct string interpolation instead of $wpdb->prepare() with placeholder tokens. This is a textbook CWE-89 defect: improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based over HTTP or HTTPS. The attacker authenticates to the target WordPress site with contributor-level credentials, then submits a crafted request that injects SQL payload characters into the data[post_ids][0] parameter. The payload is delivered to the plugin's AJAX or REST handler defined in provider/functions_wordpress.class.php. No user interaction is required from an administrator to trigger the injection.
The vulnerable code path and its fix are documented in the WordPress Plugin Change Log. Additional technical analysis is available in the Wordfence Vulnerability Report.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-4779
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP POST requests containing the parameter name data[post_ids][0] with values that include SQL syntax such as UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, information_schema, or comment sequences -- and #
- Unexpected outbound queries against wp_users or wp_options originating from PHP worker processes handling plugin endpoints
- New administrator accounts, modified user roles, or password hash changes shortly after contributor logins
- WordPress debug.log entries or MySQL general query logs showing malformed SQL statements referencing plugin functions in functions_wordpress.class.php
Detection Strategies
- Deploy a web application firewall rule to inspect and block SQL metacharacters within the data[post_ids][] parameter family
- Correlate contributor-role authentication events with subsequent AJAX requests to plugin endpoints and flag anomalous SQL-like payloads
- Enable MySQL query logging on WordPress database users and alert on queries containing UNION or subquery patterns originating from plugin code paths
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor WordPress access logs for repeated 200 responses to plugin AJAX handlers from contributor accounts
- Track privilege changes in wp_usermeta where the wp_capabilities field is modified outside of administrator sessions
- Alert on the creation of new users with administrator role and on password hash changes in wp_users
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-4779
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Unlimited Elements For Elementor plugin to a version later than 1.5.107 that contains the fix from changeset 3090199
- Audit all contributor, author, and editor accounts and remove or disable unused low-privilege accounts
- Rotate all WordPress user passwords, secret keys in wp-config.php, and any API tokens stored in the wp_options table
- Review the WordPress database for unauthorized administrator accounts or modified user capabilities
Patch Information
The fix is committed in changeset 3090199 to provider/functions_wordpress.class.php in the plugin repository. Site owners must upgrade to a plugin release that includes this changeset. The patched version enforces proper SQL preparation for the post_ids parameter. Refer to the WordPress Plugin Change Log for the code-level fix.
Workarounds
- Temporarily disable the Unlimited Elements For Elementor plugin until the patched version is deployed
- Restrict contributor and author account creation and require administrator approval for new low-privilege registrations
- Deploy WAF rules that block SQL injection payloads targeting the data[post_ids][] parameter
- Restrict database user privileges so the WordPress account cannot read sensitive tables outside its required scope
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
