CVE-2024-49297: Zoho CRM Lead Magnet SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2024-49297 Overview

CVE-2024-49297 is a SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the Zoho CRM Lead Magnet plugin (zoho-crm-forms) for WordPress. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands [CWE-89]. All plugin versions up to and including 1.7.9.7 are affected.

An authenticated attacker with low privileges can send crafted input to inject arbitrary SQL statements. The scope-changed CVSS vector indicates that exploitation impacts resources beyond the vulnerable component, enabling database content disclosure and limited availability impact.

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary SQL queries against the WordPress database, exposing lead data, user records, and other stored information.

Affected Products

Zoho CRM Lead Magnet WordPress plugin (zoho-crm-forms)
All versions from initial release through 1.7.9.7
WordPress deployments using the vulnerable plugin

Discovery Timeline

2024-10-17 - CVE-2024-49297 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-49297

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the Zoho CRM Lead Magnet plugin, which integrates WordPress forms with Zoho CRM. User-supplied input reaches SQL query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. This condition allows an attacker to break out of the intended query context and append or modify SQL statements.

The CVSS vector indicates network-based exploitation with low attack complexity and low privileges required. The scope-changed rating reflects that a successful injection can access data outside the plugin's direct security boundary, including other WordPress tables. Confidentiality impact is high, while integrity remains unaffected and availability is low.

EPSS data places the exploitation probability at 0.395% with a percentile of 32.4, indicating limited observed exploit activity. No public proof-of-concept exploit or CISA KEV listing exists at the time of publication.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing input sanitization on parameters passed to database queries. The plugin concatenates untrusted input directly into SQL statements rather than using prepared statements or the WordPress $wpdb->prepare() API. Any authenticated user with access to the vulnerable endpoint can supply malicious input.

Attack Vector

An authenticated attacker submits crafted HTTP requests to plugin endpoints that accept form or configuration parameters. The injected SQL payload executes within the WordPress database context. Attackers can extract session tokens, user credentials, and CRM lead data using standard UNION-based or blind SQL injection techniques.

Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory for additional technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49297

Indicators of Compromise

Unusual SQL keywords (UNION, SELECT, SLEEP, BENCHMARK, INFORMATION_SCHEMA) in HTTP request parameters targeting zoho-crm-forms endpoints
Anomalous outbound queries from the WordPress database server referencing sensitive tables such as wp_users or wp_usermeta
Elevated response times on plugin endpoints, indicating time-based blind injection
Web server logs showing repeated authenticated POST or GET requests with encoded SQL syntax

Detection Strategies

Deploy web application firewall (WAF) signatures for SQL injection targeting WordPress plugin paths
Enable MySQL general query logging temporarily to correlate suspicious queries with HTTP requests
Monitor authenticated low-privilege sessions for unexpected access to plugin admin endpoints
Baseline normal request patterns to the zoho-crm-forms plugin and alert on deviations

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward WordPress access logs and MySQL audit logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation
Alert on HTTP 500 responses from plugin endpoints, which often accompany failed injection attempts
Track authentication events preceding suspicious plugin requests to identify compromised accounts

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49297

Immediate Actions Required

Update the Zoho CRM Lead Magnet plugin to a version later than 1.7.9.7 as soon as a patched release is available
Audit WordPress user accounts and remove unnecessary low-privilege contributor or subscriber roles that could be leveraged for exploitation
Rotate WordPress secret keys and reset user passwords if compromise is suspected
Review database access logs for evidence of injection attempts since the plugin was installed

Patch Information

A fixed version resolving CVE-2024-49297 must be installed. Consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory for the current fixed version and vendor update guidance. Apply the patch across all WordPress installations running the plugin.

Workarounds

Deactivate and remove the Zoho CRM Lead Magnet plugin until a fixed version is deployed
Restrict access to the WordPress admin interface using IP allowlists or VPN gating
Deploy a WAF rule blocking SQL metacharacters in requests to the zoho-crm-forms plugin paths
Enforce least-privilege database credentials for the WordPress MySQL user to limit injection impact

bash

# Example WAF rule (ModSecurity) blocking SQL injection patterns on plugin endpoints
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains /wp-content/plugins/zoho-crm-forms/" \
    "chain,deny,status:403,id:1004929,msg:'Block SQLi attempt against Zoho CRM Lead Magnet'"
  SecRule ARGS "@rx (?i)(union(\s|/\*.*\*/)+select|sleep\s*\(|benchmark\s*\(|information_schema)" \
    "t:none,t:urlDecodeUni"