CVE-2024-54280: Iqonic WPBookit SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2024-54280 Overview

CVE-2024-54280 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the WPBookit WordPress plugin developed by Iqonic Design. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database by exploiting improper neutralization of special elements in SQL queries. Given the plugin's role in booking functionality, successful exploitation could lead to complete database compromise, unauthorized data access, and potential takeover of the WordPress installation.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially accessing sensitive customer booking data, user credentials, and gaining full control over the WordPress database.

Affected Products

• Iqonic WPBookit plugin versions up to and including 1.6.0
• WordPress installations running vulnerable WPBookit Pro versions
• All sites using WPBookit for booking management functionality

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-12-16 - CVE-2024-54280 published to NVD
• 2026-04-01 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-54280

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) exists in the WPBookit WordPress plugin due to improper neutralization of user-supplied input before it is incorporated into SQL queries. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious SQL statements through the plugin's input handling mechanisms, bypassing any intended query logic.

The attack can be executed remotely over the network without requiring any authentication or user interaction. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for public-facing WordPress sites, as attackers can exploit it without needing valid credentials or tricking users into performing actions.

Successful exploitation enables attackers to read, modify, or delete database contents, potentially exposing sensitive booking information, customer personal data, and WordPress user credentials including administrator password hashes.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the failure to properly sanitize, validate, or parameterize user input before incorporating it into SQL queries. The WPBookit plugin constructs SQL statements by directly concatenating user-controlled data without using prepared statements or proper escaping mechanisms. This allows attackers to break out of the intended query structure and inject their own SQL commands.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, allowing remote exploitation without authentication. Attackers can craft malicious HTTP requests containing SQL injection payloads targeting vulnerable plugin endpoints. The injection payloads can leverage techniques such as UNION-based injection to extract data, blind SQL injection to infer database contents through application responses, or stacked queries to execute multiple SQL statements including data manipulation commands.

Due to the unauthenticated nature of the vulnerability, any internet-facing WordPress site running the affected WPBookit versions is at risk. Attackers can automate scanning and exploitation across multiple targets.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-54280

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual database queries in MySQL/MariaDB logs containing SQL injection patterns such as UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, or ' --
• Unexpected HTTP requests to WPBookit plugin endpoints with encoded special characters or SQL syntax
• Database access logs showing queries retrieving data outside normal application behavior
• Web server access logs containing suspicious parameter values with SQL metacharacters

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns in requests targeting /wp-content/plugins/wpbookit/ endpoints
• Enable detailed WordPress and database query logging to capture suspicious SQL execution attempts
• Deploy intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for common SQL injection attack patterns
• Monitor for unusual database read operations or bulk data extraction from booking-related tables

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure alerts for failed database queries that may indicate SQL injection probing attempts
• Monitor authentication logs for anomalous login attempts following potential credential theft
• Track database query execution times, as SQL injection attacks may cause unusual performance patterns
• Review WordPress plugin activity logs for unexpected WPBookit-related operations

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-54280

Immediate Actions Required

• Update WPBookit plugin to a patched version beyond 1.6.0 immediately if available from the vendor
• If no patch is available, deactivate and remove the WPBookit plugin until a security update is released
• Implement WAF rules to block SQL injection attempts targeting the vulnerable plugin
• Review database access logs for signs of prior exploitation and consider credential rotation if compromise is suspected

Patch Information

Organizations should consult the Patchstack SQL Injection Advisory for the latest patch status and remediation guidance from the security research community. Contact Iqonic Design directly for official patch availability and update instructions for the WPBookit Pro plugin.

Workarounds

• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection protection rules as an interim measure
• Restrict access to the WordPress admin and plugin directories through IP whitelisting where feasible
• Implement database-level access controls to limit the privileges of the WordPress database user
• Consider temporarily disabling the WPBookit plugin if booking functionality is not critical until a patch is available

# Example: Disable WPBookit plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate wpbookit --path=/var/www/html/wordpress

# Example: Rename plugin directory to prevent activation
mv /var/www/html/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/wpbookit /var/www/html/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/wpbookit.disabled