CVE-2024-51607 Overview
CVE-2024-51607 is a SQL injection vulnerability affecting the Golf Tracker WordPress plugin through version 0.7. The flaw exists because the plugin fails to properly neutralize special elements used in SQL commands, allowing authenticated attackers to inject arbitrary SQL statements. The vulnerability is categorized under [CWE-89] (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command). Attackers with low-level privileges can exploit this issue over the network without user interaction, resulting in disclosure of sensitive database contents and limited availability impact on the affected WordPress installation.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can extract sensitive data from the WordPress database and impact application availability by injecting arbitrary SQL commands through the vulnerable Golf Tracker plugin.
Affected Products
- Golf Tracker WordPress plugin (golf-tracker)
- All versions from initial release through 0.7
- WordPress sites running the vulnerable plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-11-09 - CVE-2024-51607 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-51607
Vulnerability Analysis
The Golf Tracker plugin constructs SQL queries by concatenating user-supplied input directly into query strings without proper sanitization or parameterization. This allows an attacker with an authenticated WordPress session to modify query logic and execute arbitrary SQL statements against the underlying database.
The scope change indicated in the vulnerability metrics means exploitation affects resources beyond the vulnerable component itself. Confidentiality impact is high, allowing extraction of database contents such as user credentials, session tokens, and administrative data. The vulnerability also produces a limited availability impact through resource-intensive queries or destructive statements.
Root Cause
The root cause is the use of unsanitized user input within SQL query construction inside the plugin's PHP code. WordPress provides safe database access through $wpdb->prepare() with placeholders, but the plugin either bypasses this API or fails to correctly bind parameters, resulting in a classic first-order SQL injection sink.
Attack Vector
An authenticated user with low privileges submits crafted input through a plugin endpoint or form field. The injected payload alters the SQL statement to append additional queries, use UNION SELECT to exfiltrate data from other tables, or trigger conditional time-based responses for blind extraction. See the Patchstack SQL Injection Report for advisory details.
// No verified public exploit code is available for CVE-2024-51607.
// Refer to the Patchstack advisory for further technical detail.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-51607
Indicators of Compromise
- Web server logs containing SQL syntax patterns such as UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, --, or OR 1=1 in query parameters targeting Golf Tracker endpoints
- Unexpected outbound queries against wp_users, wp_usermeta, or wp_options tables originating from plugin request handlers
- Database error messages surfaced in HTTP responses referencing MySQL syntax errors
- Unusual increase in authenticated request volume from a single account targeting plugin URLs
Detection Strategies
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection signatures tuned for WordPress plugin request paths
- Enable MySQL general query logging temporarily to identify anomalous query structures originating from the plugin
- Correlate authenticated WordPress sessions with abnormal query patterns using centralized logging
- Perform static analysis of the plugin source code for direct concatenation of $_GET, $_POST, or $_REQUEST values into SQL strings
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward WordPress access logs and MySQL query logs to a centralized SIEM for real-time analysis
- Alert on HTTP requests to Golf Tracker endpoints containing SQL metacharacters
- Monitor for privilege changes or new administrative user creation in the wp_users table
- Track failed and successful authentication events on low-privilege accounts showing anomalous plugin interaction
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-51607
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate and remove the Golf Tracker plugin until a patched version is available
- Audit WordPress user accounts for unauthorized privilege changes or newly created administrators
- Rotate WordPress administrator credentials and any secrets stored in wp_options
- Restrict access to the WordPress admin interface using IP allowlisting or an authentication proxy
Patch Information
At the time of publication, no fixed version has been identified beyond 0.7. Site administrators should monitor the Patchstack advisory and the plugin repository for an updated release. Until a patch is available, removal of the plugin is the recommended remediation.
Workarounds
- Uninstall the Golf Tracker plugin entirely if it is not business-critical
- Deploy WAF rules blocking SQL injection payloads targeting /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php and Golf Tracker request paths
- Enforce least privilege by removing unnecessary subscriber or contributor accounts that could be leveraged for authenticated exploitation
- Enable database user separation so the WordPress database account cannot access unrelated schemas
# Disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate golf-tracker
wp plugin uninstall golf-tracker
# Verify removal
wp plugin list --status=inactive
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
