CVE-2024-49333 Overview
CVE-2024-49333 is a SQL injection vulnerability in the Hero Mega Menu - Responsive WordPress Menu Plugin. The flaw affects all plugin versions up to and including 1.16.5. It results from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands [CWE-89]. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can send crafted input that alters backend database queries. The scope-changed impact means the attacker can read confidential data outside the vulnerable component's authorization boundary.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can inject arbitrary SQL statements to extract sensitive WordPress database contents, including user credentials, session tokens, and configuration secrets.
Affected Products
- Hero Mega Menu - Responsive WordPress Menu Plugin versions through 1.16.5
- WordPress installations with the hmenu plugin enabled
- Any site permitting low-privilege authenticated users to interact with menu plugin endpoints
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-01-21 - CVE-2024-49333 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-49333
Vulnerability Analysis
The Hero Mega Menu plugin fails to sanitize user-supplied input before concatenating it into SQL statements. An authenticated attacker sends crafted parameters that break out of the intended query context. The database then executes injected clauses such as UNION SELECT statements or Boolean-based blind payloads. Because the CVSS scope is changed, extracted data can include records the plugin itself cannot legitimately access. Attackers commonly target the wp_users and wp_options tables to retrieve hashed passwords, secret keys, and API tokens.
Root Cause
The root cause is direct interpolation of request parameters into SQL statements without prepared statements or input escaping. WordPress provides $wpdb->prepare() for parameterized queries, but affected code paths in the hmenu plugin do not use it consistently. This maps to [CWE-89], Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command.
Attack Vector
The attack is remotely exploitable over the network and requires only low-privilege authentication such as a subscriber or contributor account. No user interaction is needed. An attacker submits HTTP requests containing SQL metacharacters to plugin endpoints that build queries dynamically. Refer to the Patchstack SQL Injection Analysis for parameter-level technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49333
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to plugin endpoints containing SQL metacharacters such as UNION, SELECT, SLEEP(, --, or 0x hex payloads
- Unexpected long-duration database queries originating from PHP worker processes
- Web server access logs showing repeated requests with encoded quote characters (%27, %22) targeting hmenu parameters
- Creation of unexpected administrative WordPress accounts following exploitation attempts
Detection Strategies
- Deploy a WordPress-aware web application firewall with SQL injection signatures targeting plugin query parameters
- Enable MySQL general or slow query logging and alert on queries containing suspicious keywords issued from the plugin context
- Correlate authentication logs with SQL error responses to identify low-privilege accounts probing the plugin
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor outbound data volume from the database host for exfiltration patterns
- Track file integrity of plugin PHP files under wp-content/plugins/hmenu/ for tampering
- Alert on newly created WordPress users with administrator role assignments
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49333
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Hero Mega Menu plugin to a version released after 1.16.5 that addresses the SQL injection flaw
- Audit WordPress user accounts and rotate all administrator credentials and secret keys defined in wp-config.php
- Review database logs for evidence of unauthorized SELECT, INSERT, or UPDATE statements against sensitive tables
Patch Information
Consult the Patchstack SQL Injection Analysis for the fixed release information. Apply the vendor patch through the WordPress plugin manager and confirm the installed version exceeds 1.16.5 after upgrade.
Workarounds
- Deactivate and remove the Hero Mega Menu plugin until a patched release is applied
- Restrict access to WordPress registration and low-privilege authentication endpoints via IP allow-listing
- Configure a WAF rule to block requests containing SQL metacharacters targeted at hmenu endpoints
# Configuration example
wp plugin update hmenu
wp plugin get hmenu --field=version
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
