CVE-2024-51602: Simple Job Manager SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2024-51602 Overview

CVE-2024-51602 is a SQL injection vulnerability in the oleksandr87 Simple Job Manager WordPress plugin. The flaw affects all versions from an unknown initial release through version 1.1. The vulnerability results from improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command [CWE-89]. Authenticated attackers with low privileges can inject arbitrary SQL statements into database queries over the network. Successful exploitation exposes confidential database contents and can impact application availability. The vulnerability has a changed scope, meaning exploitation affects resources beyond the vulnerable component itself.

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can extract sensitive data from the WordPress database, including user credentials, personally identifiable information stored in job applications, and administrative configuration data.

Affected Products

Simple Job Manager WordPress plugin (simple-job-manager) by oleksandr87
All versions from initial release through 1.1
WordPress installations with the plugin enabled

Discovery Timeline

2024-11-09 - CVE-2024-51602 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-51602

Vulnerability Analysis

The Simple Job Manager plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This weakness allows attackers to break out of the intended query context and append arbitrary SQL syntax. The vulnerability requires authentication but only at a low privilege level, such as a subscriber or contributor account. Because the CVSS scope is changed, successful exploitation impacts data managed by the underlying WordPress database rather than only the plugin. Confidentiality impact is high, while integrity remains unaffected and availability shows a limited impact. According to EPSS data, the exploit probability is 0.384% at the 31st percentile.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command [CWE-89]. The plugin concatenates unsanitized request parameters directly into SQL queries instead of using prepared statements or the WordPress $wpdb->prepare() API. This allows attacker-controlled input to alter the structure of executed queries.

Attack Vector

An authenticated attacker sends crafted HTTP requests to a vulnerable plugin endpoint. The malicious parameters contain SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, UNION SELECT clauses, or boolean-based blind payloads. The WordPress backend executes the tainted query against the MySQL database and returns results the attacker can observe directly or infer through response differences.

No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. See the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-51602

Indicators of Compromise

Web server access logs containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, UNION SELECT, or SLEEP( in requests to Simple Job Manager endpoints
Unexpected database errors written to WordPress debug logs referencing plugin query paths
Anomalous outbound data volumes from the WordPress host correlating with authenticated plugin requests
Creation of unexpected administrative WordPress users following suspicious plugin traffic

Detection Strategies

Deploy a web application firewall with SQL injection signatures tuned to WordPress plugin URIs
Enable MySQL general query logging temporarily to identify anomalous query structures originating from the plugin
Correlate authenticated session identifiers with database query patterns to detect low-privilege accounts issuing sensitive SELECT statements

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor requests to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php and plugin-specific endpoints for encoded SQL payloads
Alert on repeated HTTP 500 responses from the Simple Job Manager plugin, which often indicate injection probing
Track newly created or elevated WordPress user accounts and privilege changes for accounts that recently interacted with the plugin

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-51602

Immediate Actions Required

Disable the Simple Job Manager plugin until a patched release is confirmed installed
Audit all WordPress user accounts and remove untrusted low-privilege subscribers and contributors
Rotate database credentials and WordPress administrator passwords if exploitation is suspected
Review recent database SELECT and export activity for signs of data exfiltration

Patch Information

At the time of publication, the advisory identifies affected versions as n/a through <= 1.1. Administrators should consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the latest fixed version guidance and apply updates through the WordPress plugin manager once available.

Workarounds

Remove the plugin from production sites until a vendor patch is verified
Restrict access to WordPress registration and low-privilege role assignment to reduce the pool of authenticated attackers
Enforce WAF rules blocking SQL metacharacters on plugin endpoints while the plugin remains deployed
Apply least-privilege configuration to the WordPress database user, denying access to unrelated schemas

bash

# Disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate simple-job-manager
wp plugin delete simple-job-manager

# Verify no active installations remain
wp plugin list --status=active | grep simple-job-manager