CVE-2024-51608 Overview
CVE-2024-51608 is a SQL Injection vulnerability in the AmaDiscount WordPress plugin developed by colinph970 (Pluginhandy). The flaw affects all versions up to and including 1.0. Attackers with low-level authenticated access can inject arbitrary SQL statements through improperly neutralized input passed to database queries. Successful exploitation compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the underlying WordPress database. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command).
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can extract, modify, or destroy WordPress database contents through crafted SQL payloads, leading to full site compromise.
Affected Products
- Pluginhandy AmaDiscount WordPress plugin versions up to and including 1.0
- WordPress sites with the AmaDiscount plugin active
- Any WordPress deployment where low-privileged users can reach vulnerable plugin endpoints
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-11-09 - CVE-2024-51608 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-51608
Vulnerability Analysis
The AmaDiscount plugin fails to sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries executed against the WordPress database. An authenticated attacker can submit crafted parameters containing SQL metacharacters, breaking the intended query structure. The resulting injected statements execute with the privileges of the WordPress database user, typically granting full read and write access to wp_* tables. This exposes user credentials, session tokens, and configuration data stored in the database.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing input neutralization in one or more plugin request handlers that build SQL queries through string concatenation. The plugin does not use WordPress prepared statement APIs such as $wpdb->prepare() with proper placeholders. Special characters like single quotes and comment sequences pass unfiltered into query strings. This violates secure coding guidance for WordPress plugin developers.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the WordPress site and low-privileged authenticated credentials. No user interaction is needed. An attacker sends an HTTP request to a vulnerable plugin endpoint with SQL payloads in request parameters. Typical payloads include UNION-based extraction queries, boolean-based blind injection, and time-based blind injection using SLEEP() functions. The vulnerability requires no code execution primitive to reach high impact against database contents.
No public proof-of-concept code has been released. Technical details are limited to the Patchstack advisory.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-51608
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected outbound queries or data exfiltration patterns from the WordPress database host
- Web server access logs showing SQL metacharacters (', --, UNION, SLEEP() in parameters targeting AmaDiscount plugin URLs
- New or modified administrator accounts in wp_users that were not created through legitimate workflows
- Anomalous read volume against sensitive tables such as wp_users and wp_usermeta
Detection Strategies
- Deploy web application firewall rules that flag SQL injection signatures against /wp-content/plugins/amadiscount/ request paths
- Enable MySQL general query logging temporarily to identify malformed or nested statements originating from plugin code
- Correlate WordPress audit logs with database query anomalies through a centralized SIEM
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor authenticated low-privilege sessions that generate unusual query volume or access administrative plugin endpoints
- Alert on HTTP 500 responses from AmaDiscount endpoints, which frequently indicate broken SQL syntax during injection probing
- Track file integrity of WordPress core files and plugin directories for post-exploitation web shells
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-51608
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate and remove the AmaDiscount plugin until a patched version is confirmed available
- Rotate all WordPress user passwords and secret keys defined in wp-config.php
- Review wp_users and wp_options tables for unauthorized modifications or injected administrator accounts
- Restrict registration and role assignment to trusted administrators only
Patch Information
No fixed version has been published by the vendor at the time of NVD listing. All versions through 1.0 remain vulnerable. Refer to the Patchstack Amadiscount advisory for updates on remediation availability.
Workarounds
- Remove the AmaDiscount plugin entirely from affected WordPress installations
- Enforce virtual patching through a web application firewall with SQL injection rulesets
- Apply least-privilege configuration to the WordPress database account, removing DROP, ALTER, and FILE privileges where not required
# Disable the AmaDiscount plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate amadiscount
wp plugin delete amadiscount
# Verify removal
wp plugin list | grep -i amadiscount
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
