CVE-2024-50539 Overview
CVE-2024-50539 is a SQL Injection vulnerability in the Lodgix.com Vacation Rental Website Builder WordPress plugin (lodgixcom-vacation-rental-listing-management-booking-plugin). The flaw affects all versions up to and including 3.9.73. It stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command [CWE-89]. Authenticated attackers with low privileges can send crafted input over the network to inject arbitrary SQL statements into backend database queries. Successful exploitation exposes sensitive database contents and can alter application behavior across the affected WordPress instance.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can extract sensitive data from the WordPress database and disrupt plugin availability through crafted SQL payloads.
Affected Products
- Lodgix.com Vacation Rental Website Builder WordPress plugin
- Plugin slug: lodgixcom-vacation-rental-listing-management-booking-plugin
- All versions from n/a through <= 3.9.73
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-11-09 - CVE-2024-50539 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-50539
Vulnerability Analysis
The Lodgix.com Vacation Rental Website Builder plugin fails to sanitize or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can inject SQL syntax through vulnerable request parameters processed by the plugin. Because the vulnerable code path executes with database privileges, injected statements run against the underlying WordPress database. The scope is changed, meaning the impact extends beyond the vulnerable component into other resources hosted on the same WordPress site. The vulnerability primarily enables data exfiltration and partial denial of service, while direct data modification is not indicated in the advisory.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command [CWE-89]. The plugin concatenates untrusted input into SQL statements rather than using $wpdb->prepare() with placeholders. This allows attackers to break out of the intended query context and append arbitrary SQL syntax such as UNION SELECT clauses, boolean conditions, or time-delay functions.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the WordPress site and a valid authenticated session with at least low privileges. The attacker submits crafted parameter values to endpoints exposed by the plugin. The vulnerable handler passes the tainted input into a SQL query, and the database engine executes the injected statements. No user interaction beyond the attacker's own session is required. Detailed proof-of-concept information is documented in the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-50539
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected SQL keywords such as UNION, SELECT, SLEEP(, or INFORMATION_SCHEMA appearing in HTTP request parameters targeting the plugin's endpoints.
- Anomalous WordPress database query patterns or errors in debug.log referencing the Lodgix plugin.
- Authenticated user accounts issuing bursts of requests to plugin URLs with encoded quotes, comment markers (--, #), or hex sequences.
Detection Strategies
- Enable a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with signatures for WordPress plugin SQL injection and log all blocked requests referencing the plugin path.
- Correlate WordPress access logs with database slow-query logs to surface authenticated sessions triggering unusual query shapes.
- Inventory installed plugins and flag any host running lodgixcom-vacation-rental-listing-management-booking-plugin at version <= 3.9.73.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Alert on outbound data transfers from the web tier that follow authenticated requests to Lodgix plugin endpoints.
- Monitor for new or escalated WordPress user accounts created after suspicious plugin activity.
- Track query execution times and failed queries associated with the wp_ tables for signs of blind or time-based SQL injection.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-50539
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress sites running the Lodgix.com Vacation Rental Website Builder plugin and confirm the installed version.
- Upgrade the plugin to a version later than 3.9.73 once the vendor publishes a patched release, per the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.
- Review WordPress user roles and revoke unnecessary low-privilege accounts that could be leveraged for exploitation.
- Rotate database credentials and WordPress secrets if compromise is suspected.
Patch Information
The advisory indicates the vulnerability affects all versions through 3.9.73. Administrators should monitor the plugin's changelog and the Patchstack advisory for the fixed release and apply it as soon as it becomes available.
Workarounds
- Deploy a WordPress-aware WAF rule set to block SQL injection payloads targeting the plugin's request parameters.
- Restrict access to plugin admin endpoints by source IP address at the reverse proxy or firewall layer.
- Temporarily deactivate the Lodgix plugin on internet-exposed sites where the patch cannot be applied promptly.
# Configuration example: disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI until a patch is applied
wp plugin deactivate lodgixcom-vacation-rental-listing-management-booking-plugin
wp plugin status lodgixcom-vacation-rental-listing-management-booking-plugin
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
