CVE-2024-49613: Simple Code Insert Shortcode SQLi Flaw

CVE-2024-49613 Overview

CVE-2024-49613 is a SQL Injection vulnerability [CWE-89] in the developersnote Simple Code Insert Shortcode WordPress plugin. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command. Attackers with low-privileged authenticated access can inject malicious SQL statements through vulnerable input handlers. The issue affects all versions of simple-code-insert-shortcode up to and including version 1.0. Successful exploitation compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the underlying WordPress database. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without user interaction.

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can extract, modify, or destroy WordPress database contents through crafted SQL payloads, leading to full site compromise.

Affected Products

Lodelgeraldo Simple Code Insert Shortcode plugin for WordPress
All versions up to and including 1.0
WordPress installations using the simple-code-insert-shortcode plugin

Discovery Timeline

2024-10-20 - CVE-2024-49613 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-49613

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the Simple Code Insert Shortcode plugin, which enables WordPress site owners to insert code snippets via shortcodes. The plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before passing it into SQL queries. This allows an authenticated attacker to inject arbitrary SQL syntax into database operations executed by the plugin.

Because the attack vector is network-based and requires only low privileges, any authenticated user role capable of interacting with the plugin's input surface can trigger the flaw. No user interaction is needed to complete the attack chain. The scope remains unchanged, but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special SQL characters in user-controlled parameters processed by the plugin. Rather than using parameterized queries or prepared statements through WordPress's $wpdb->prepare() API, the plugin concatenates input directly into SQL strings. This design flaw is a textbook instance of [CWE-89].

Attack Vector

An authenticated attacker sends crafted HTTP requests to WordPress endpoints handled by the plugin. The injected SQL payload executes with the privileges of the WordPress database user, typically granting full read and write access to all tables. Attackers can extract session tokens, password hashes from wp_users, and administrative secrets. They can also insert malicious administrative accounts or modify post content to serve malware.

The vulnerability manifests in the plugin's SQL query construction logic. See the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability advisory for detailed technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49613

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected SQL syntax fragments such as UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, or SLEEP() in WordPress access logs targeting plugin endpoints
New or modified administrative accounts in wp_users without corresponding audit trail entries
Anomalous outbound database queries originating from PHP worker processes tied to the plugin
Sudden spikes in database error log entries referencing malformed queries from simple-code-insert-shortcode

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server logs for HTTP requests to plugin endpoints containing SQL metacharacters or encoded payloads
Enable WordPress database query logging and audit queries originating from the simple-code-insert-shortcode plugin path
Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with signatures for SQL injection patterns targeting WordPress plugin parameters
Correlate authentication events with subsequent database modifications to detect privilege abuse

Monitoring Recommendations

Continuously monitor wp_users and wp_options tables for unauthorized changes
Alert on requests to plugin URLs that include SQL keywords such as SELECT, UNION, INSERT, or DROP
Track file integrity of plugin PHP files to detect tampering following exploitation
Aggregate WordPress and database logs into a centralized SIEM for cross-source correlation

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49613

Immediate Actions Required

Deactivate and remove the Simple Code Insert Shortcode plugin from all WordPress installations until a patched version is available
Audit wp_users, wp_usermeta, and wp_options tables for unauthorized entries added since the plugin was installed
Rotate all WordPress administrative credentials and database passwords if exploitation is suspected
Restrict access to the WordPress admin interface using IP allowlisting or additional authentication layers

Patch Information

At the time of the NVD publication, no vendor-supplied patch is referenced. The advisory indicates the issue affects Simple Code Insert Shortcode from n/a through 1.0 with no fixed version listed. Refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability advisory for updates on remediation availability.

Workarounds

Uninstall the plugin entirely and replace it with a maintained alternative that follows WordPress secure coding practices
Deploy a WAF rule set that blocks SQL injection payloads targeting the plugin's request parameters
Enforce least-privilege database accounts so the WordPress DB user cannot execute destructive statements beyond required tables
Restrict authenticated user roles to trusted administrators until the plugin is removed or updated

bash

# Configuration example: disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate simple-code-insert-shortcode
wp plugin uninstall simple-code-insert-shortcode

# Verify the plugin is no longer active
wp plugin list --status=active | grep simple-code-insert-shortcode