CVE-2024-49618 Overview
CVE-2024-49618 is a blind SQL injection vulnerability in the Jordan Lyall MyTweetLinks WordPress plugin. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 1.1.1. Authenticated attackers with low privileges can inject malicious SQL statements through unsanitized input passed to database queries. Successful exploitation compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the underlying WordPress database. The issue is tracked under [CWE-89] Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can extract sensitive data, modify database records, and potentially escalate access across the WordPress installation using blind SQL injection techniques.
Affected Products
- Jordan Lyall MyTweetLinks WordPress plugin versions through 1.1.1
- WordPress sites using MyTweetLinks with any authenticated user role that reaches the vulnerable endpoint
- WordPress deployments that have not applied a fix beyond version 1.1.1
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-10-20 - CVE-2024-49618 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-49618
Vulnerability Analysis
The MyTweetLinks plugin fails to properly neutralize special SQL characters in user-supplied input before incorporating that input into database queries. This blind SQL injection variant does not return database results directly in the response. Attackers infer data by observing conditional responses or time-based delays.
The vulnerability requires network access and low-privilege authentication. No user interaction is needed to exploit the flaw. Exploitation impacts all three security properties of the database: confidentiality through data exfiltration, integrity through record manipulation, and availability through destructive queries.
At time of publication, no public proof-of-concept exploit or CISA KEV listing exists for this issue. The EPSS probability sits at 0.445%, indicating limited observed exploitation attempts to date.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper input sanitization within plugin database query construction. User-controlled parameters are concatenated into SQL statements without parameterized queries or WordPress $wpdb->prepare() binding. This pattern allows special SQL characters to break out of the intended query context.
Attack Vector
An authenticated attacker sends crafted HTTP requests containing SQL payloads to the vulnerable plugin endpoint. The plugin passes the payload into a backend SQL query. The attacker uses boolean-based or time-based blind injection techniques to enumerate database contents. See the Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability advisory for additional technical context.
No verified exploit code is publicly available. The vulnerability mechanism is documented in prose only.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49618
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to MyTweetLinks plugin endpoints containing SQL keywords such as UNION, SELECT, SLEEP(, BENCHMARK(, or encoded equivalents
- Unusual response time patterns consistent with time-based blind SQL injection probing
- WordPress database error entries or MySQL slow-query log spikes tied to plugin requests
- Authenticated sessions from low-privilege accounts issuing high volumes of parameterized requests to plugin routes
Detection Strategies
- Deploy web application firewall rules that inspect plugin endpoints for SQL injection payload signatures
- Correlate authenticated WordPress user activity with backend database query anomalies
- Monitor MySQL general and error logs for query fragments containing tautologies such as OR 1=1 or timing functions
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress audit logging to capture plugin parameter values from authenticated sessions
- Alert on repeated 500 responses or long response times originating from MyTweetLinks routes
- Track new or modified administrator accounts, options table changes, and plugin file modifications following suspicious requests
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49618
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate and remove the MyTweetLinks plugin until a patched version is confirmed available from the vendor
- Rotate WordPress administrator credentials and database passwords if exploitation is suspected
- Restrict authenticated access to trusted users and audit existing low-privilege accounts for misuse
- Review WordPress wp_users, wp_options, and wp_usermeta tables for unauthorized modifications
Patch Information
The advisory indicates the vulnerability affects MyTweetLinks through version 1.1.1. No fixed version is identified in the enriched CVE data. Consult the Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability advisory for the latest remediation status. If no vendor patch is available, removal is the recommended course of action.
Workarounds
- Uninstall the MyTweetLinks plugin from all affected WordPress instances
- Deploy a web application firewall with SQL injection signatures in front of the WordPress site
- Apply least-privilege principles to WordPress user roles and disable unused authenticated capabilities
- Enforce database account separation so the WordPress MySQL user cannot execute privileged administrative statements
# Configuration example: disable and remove the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate mytweetlinks
wp plugin uninstall mytweetlinks
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
