CVE-2024-49246: Ajax Rating Custom Login SQLi Flaw

CVE-2024-49246 Overview

CVE-2024-49246 is a SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the WordPress "Ajax Rating with Custom Login" plugin developed by anand23. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL statements through the plugin's functionality.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation allows attackers to manipulate database queries, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or complete database compromise on affected WordPress installations.

Affected Products

• WordPress Ajax Rating with Custom Login plugin version 1.1 and earlier
• All WordPress installations running vulnerable versions of ajax-rating-with-custom-login

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-10-17 - CVE-2024-49246 published to NVD
• 2026-04-01 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-49246

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly known as SQL Injection. The Ajax Rating with Custom Login plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries, creating an exploitable attack surface.

SQL Injection vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins are particularly concerning due to the widespread adoption of the platform and the potential for attackers to access sensitive user credentials, modify content, or escalate privileges within the WordPress database.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient input validation and lack of parameterized queries or prepared statements within the plugin's codebase. User-controlled data is directly concatenated into SQL query strings without proper escaping or sanitization, allowing malicious SQL syntax to be interpreted by the database engine.

Attack Vector

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by submitting specially crafted input through the plugin's AJAX rating functionality. The malicious payload is processed by the server and executed as part of the SQL query, enabling the attacker to:

• Extract sensitive data from the WordPress database including user credentials and session tokens
• Modify or delete database records
• Potentially gain administrative access to the WordPress installation
• Execute administrative operations on the database server in severe cases

The vulnerability affects the plugin's core rating functionality, which handles user interactions through AJAX requests. Detailed technical information is available in the Patchstack Security Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49246

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual database query patterns in web server logs containing SQL syntax characters (', ", ;, --, UNION, SELECT)
• Unexpected database errors appearing in WordPress error logs
• Anomalous AJAX requests to the Ajax Rating with Custom Login plugin endpoints
• Signs of data exfiltration or unauthorized database modifications

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web application firewall (WAF) logs for SQL injection attack signatures targeting the ajax-rating-with-custom-login plugin
• Implement database query logging and analyze for malformed or suspicious queries
• Review access logs for unusual POST requests to AJAX endpoints associated with the rating plugin
• Deploy intrusion detection systems (IDS) configured to identify SQL injection payloads

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable WordPress debug logging to capture plugin-related errors and anomalies
• Configure real-time alerting for database query anomalies
• Implement file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized modifications to the plugin files
• Regularly audit database access logs for suspicious activity patterns

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49246

Immediate Actions Required

• Deactivate and remove the Ajax Rating with Custom Login plugin (ajax-rating-with-custom-login) immediately if running version 1.1 or earlier
• Review WordPress database for signs of compromise or unauthorized data access
• Reset database credentials and WordPress admin passwords as a precautionary measure
• Scan the WordPress installation for additional vulnerabilities or backdoors

Patch Information

As of the last available information, this vulnerability affects all versions of the Ajax Rating with Custom Login plugin through version 1.1. Website administrators should check the Patchstack vulnerability database for updates on patch availability. If no patch is available, consider permanently removing the plugin and using an alternative solution.

Workarounds

• Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection detection rules to provide an additional layer of protection
• Use WordPress security plugins that provide virtual patching capabilities for known vulnerabilities
• Restrict access to the WordPress admin panel and plugin functionality using IP whitelisting
• Consider disabling the plugin's AJAX functionality if it cannot be completely removed

# WordPress CLI commands to deactivate and remove vulnerable plugin
wp plugin deactivate ajax-rating-with-custom-login
wp plugin delete ajax-rating-with-custom-login

# Verify plugin removal
wp plugin list --status=inactive