CVE-2024-51625 Overview
CVE-2024-51625 is a blind SQL injection vulnerability in the edckwt Quran Shortcode WordPress plugin. The flaw affects all versions of quran-shortcode up to and including version 1.5. Improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands ([CWE-89]) allows authenticated attackers to inject arbitrary SQL statements. Successful exploitation enables data extraction from the WordPress database through inference-based techniques.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers with low privileges can execute blind SQL injection attacks against the WordPress database, exposing sensitive data across a changed security scope.
Affected Products
- edckwt Quran Shortcode plugin for WordPress
- All versions from initial release through 1.5
- WordPress sites with quran-shortcode plugin installed and activated
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-11-09 - CVE-2024-51625 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-51625
Vulnerability Analysis
The Quran Shortcode plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This classic [CWE-89] weakness allows attackers to modify the intended query structure. Because the vulnerability manifests as a blind SQL injection, results are not returned directly in the HTTP response.
Attackers infer database contents through boolean-based or time-based techniques. Each crafted request produces observable differences in application behavior, enabling character-by-character extraction of stored data. The attack requires only low-privilege authentication and no user interaction. The scope change indicates that impact extends beyond the vulnerable component to other resources within the WordPress installation.
Root Cause
The root cause is the direct concatenation of untrusted input into SQL statements without parameterized queries or proper escaping. WordPress provides $wpdb->prepare() for safe query construction, but the plugin does not consistently apply this pattern in affected code paths. Special SQL characters such as single quotes, comments, and UNION operators pass into the query unchanged.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network against any WordPress site running Quran Shortcode 1.5 or earlier. The attacker authenticates with a low-privilege account, then submits crafted parameters to endpoints that invoke the vulnerable shortcode logic. The injected payload alters the resulting SQL query, producing timing or content differences that reveal underlying data.
The vulnerability manifests during shortcode parameter processing. See the Patchstack Security Advisory for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-51625
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual query patterns in MySQL slow query logs containing SQL keywords such as UNION, SLEEP, BENCHMARK, or information_schema references from shortcode-related requests
- HTTP requests to WordPress endpoints containing encoded SQL metacharacters targeting quran-shortcode parameters
- Repeated authenticated requests from the same user account with incremental parameter variations characteristic of automated SQL injection tooling
Detection Strategies
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that inspect request parameters bound for WordPress plugin endpoints and block SQL syntax tokens
- Enable WordPress query logging and correlate suspicious database errors with authenticated session identifiers
- Monitor for anomalous response-time distributions on plugin endpoints, which indicate time-based blind SQL injection probing
Monitoring Recommendations
- Audit all installed WordPress plugins and identify sites running quran-shortcode version 1.5 or earlier
- Ingest WordPress access logs and MySQL logs into a centralized SIEM for correlation and alerting on injection patterns
- Track authenticated low-privilege accounts for behavior deviating from normal contributor or subscriber activity
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-51625
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate and remove the Quran Shortcode plugin if a patched version is not available for your WordPress installation
- Restrict WordPress user registration and audit existing low-privilege accounts for suspicious activity
- Deploy WAF rules that specifically block SQL injection payloads against WordPress shortcode endpoints
Patch Information
At the time of publication, the vendor advisory listed on Patchstack indicates the vulnerability affects versions through 1.5. Administrators should consult the Patchstack advisory for the latest patch status and upgrade to any newer released version that addresses the issue.
Workarounds
- Remove the quran-shortcode plugin directory from wp-content/plugins/ until a fix is confirmed
- Apply virtual patching through a WAF to filter SQL metacharacters in plugin request parameters
- Enforce the principle of least privilege by removing unnecessary contributor or author accounts that meet the low-privilege threshold required for exploitation
# Disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate quran-shortcode
wp plugin delete quran-shortcode
# Verify no residual files remain
ls -la wp-content/plugins/ | grep quran
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
