CVE-2024-49303 Overview
CVE-2024-49303 is a SQL Injection vulnerability [CWE-89] in the Hero Mega Menu - Responsive WordPress Menu Plugin. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 1.16.5. Attackers with low-privilege authenticated access can inject malicious SQL statements through improperly neutralized special elements in database queries. Successful exploitation exposes sensitive database contents and can affect resources beyond the plugin's security scope. The vulnerability was published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) on January 21, 2025.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can extract sensitive WordPress database contents, including user credentials and session tokens, by injecting SQL commands through the vulnerable plugin.
Affected Products
- Hero Mega Menu - Responsive WordPress Menu Plugin versions through 1.16.5
- WordPress sites running the vulnerable hmenu plugin
- Any WordPress deployment with authenticated user access to the plugin's affected functionality
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-01-21 - CVE-2024-49303 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-49303
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands within the Hero Mega Menu plugin. The plugin accepts user-supplied input and concatenates it into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterized statements. This allows attackers to break out of intended query context and execute arbitrary SQL commands.
The scope change indicated in the vulnerability metrics means exploitation can impact resources beyond the plugin itself. An attacker leveraging this flaw can access the broader WordPress database, potentially extracting information from unrelated tables. Confidentiality impact is significant, while integrity remains unaffected and availability sees limited impact.
Root Cause
The root cause is the absence of prepared statements or proper input validation when the plugin builds SQL queries from user-controllable parameters. WordPress provides the $wpdb->prepare() method to safely parameterize queries, but the vulnerable code paths in versions up to 1.16.5 fail to use these safeguards consistently.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access and low-privilege authentication to the target WordPress site. An authenticated attacker submits crafted input containing SQL metacharacters through a vulnerable plugin endpoint. The malicious payload alters the intended query structure, enabling data extraction via UNION-based, boolean-based, or time-based blind SQL injection techniques. No user interaction is required beyond the attacker's own authenticated session.
For full technical details, see the Patchstack SQL Injection Advisory.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49303
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual SQL syntax in WordPress access logs, including UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, BENCHMARK(, or encoded variants targeting plugin endpoints
- Unexpected outbound queries or large result sets from the wp_users or wp_usermeta tables
- Authenticated user sessions issuing repeated requests to hmenu plugin endpoints with abnormal query parameters
- Database error messages appearing in HTTP responses that reference MySQL syntax
Detection Strategies
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with SQL injection rule sets tuned for WordPress plugin request patterns
- Enable MySQL general query logging temporarily during investigation to identify anomalous query structures originating from the plugin
- Correlate authenticated WordPress user activity with database query patterns to identify credential misuse
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor WordPress wp-admin and plugin-specific request logs for SQL metacharacters and encoded payloads
- Alert on any HTTP 500 responses paired with database error signatures from the hmenu plugin path
- Track privilege changes and new administrator account creation following suspicious plugin activity
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49303
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Hero Mega Menu plugin to a version later than 1.16.5 as soon as a patched release is available from the vendor
- Audit WordPress user accounts and rotate credentials for any accounts that may have been exposed
- Review database logs for indicators of prior exploitation, focusing on unusual SELECT activity against user and options tables
Patch Information
At the time of publication, the vulnerability affects all versions through 1.16.5. Administrators should consult the Patchstack SQL Injection Advisory for the latest fixed version information and apply updates through the WordPress plugin management interface.
Workarounds
- Deactivate and remove the Hero Mega Menu plugin until a patched version is installed
- Restrict access to WordPress authenticated endpoints using IP allowlisting where feasible
- Deploy a WAF with virtual patching rules that block SQL injection payloads targeting the hmenu plugin
- Apply the principle of least privilege to WordPress user roles, limiting contributor and subscriber accounts that could exploit the flaw
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
