CVE-2024-55977: LaunchPage.app Importer SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2024-55977 Overview

CVE-2024-55977 is a SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the BinaryCarpenter LaunchPage.app Importer WordPress plugin. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL queries through the plugin's input handling mechanisms.

SQL Injection vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins are particularly dangerous as they can allow attackers to extract sensitive data from the WordPress database, including user credentials, personal information, and site configuration details. In severe cases, attackers may leverage SQL Injection to achieve complete database compromise or use database features to execute system commands.

Critical Impact

Attackers can exploit this SQL Injection vulnerability to access, modify, or delete data in the WordPress database, potentially compromising the entire website and its users' sensitive information.

Affected Products

• BinaryCarpenter LaunchPage.app Importer plugin version 1.1 and earlier
• WordPress installations using the launchpage-app-importer plugin

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-12-16 - CVE-2024-55977 published to NVD
• 2026-04-01 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-55977

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command). The LaunchPage.app Importer plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries executed against the WordPress database.

WordPress plugins that interact with database operations are particularly susceptible to SQL Injection when developers fail to utilize WordPress's built-in prepared statement functions such as $wpdb->prepare(). The vulnerable plugin allows user-controlled data to be directly concatenated into SQL query strings, enabling attackers to manipulate the query logic.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the absence of proper input sanitization and parameterized queries in the LaunchPage.app Importer plugin. When user input is directly embedded into SQL statements without escaping special characters or using prepared statements, attackers can inject SQL syntax that alters the intended query behavior.

WordPress provides the $wpdb->prepare() method specifically to prevent SQL Injection by properly escaping and quoting variables, but the vulnerable plugin versions do not implement this protection mechanism.

Attack Vector

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious input containing SQL syntax and submitting it through the plugin's import functionality. The attack requires the ability to interact with the plugin's features, which may require authenticated access depending on the plugin's configuration.

The exploitation flow typically involves:

1. Identifying input fields processed by the LaunchPage.app Importer plugin
2. Injecting SQL payloads such as UNION-based queries, boolean-based blind injection, or time-based blind injection
3. Extracting sensitive data from the wp_users table or other database tables
4. Potentially escalating to database administrator privileges or achieving further compromise

For detailed technical analysis and proof-of-concept information, refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-55977

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual database queries in WordPress debug logs containing SQL injection payloads such as UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, or comment sequences (--, #)
• Unexpected database errors or slow query performance indicating time-based SQL injection attempts
• Evidence of unauthorized data access or extraction from WordPress database tables
• Anomalous HTTP requests to endpoints associated with the LaunchPage.app Importer plugin

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block common SQL injection patterns in HTTP requests
• Enable WordPress debug logging and monitor for database query errors or anomalies
• Implement database activity monitoring to detect unusual query patterns or bulk data extraction
• Review web server access logs for suspicious requests targeting the launchpage-app-importer plugin endpoints

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure real-time alerting for SQL error messages in application logs
• Monitor database query execution times to detect time-based blind SQL injection attempts
• Implement file integrity monitoring for WordPress core files and plugin directories
• Set up alerts for unauthorized changes to WordPress user accounts or database tables

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-55977

Immediate Actions Required

• Deactivate and remove the LaunchPage.app Importer plugin (launchpage-app-importer) immediately if a patched version is not available
• Review WordPress database for signs of unauthorized access or data modification
• Reset all WordPress user passwords, particularly administrative accounts
• Audit the WordPress database for any injected content or unauthorized user accounts

Patch Information

As of the available information, version 1.1 and all prior versions of the LaunchPage.app Importer plugin are vulnerable. Administrators should check the Patchstack vulnerability report for updates on patch availability.

If no patch is available, the plugin should be removed entirely and an alternative solution sought for the required functionality.

Workarounds

• Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection detection rules to provide an additional layer of protection
• Restrict access to WordPress admin functionality to trusted IP addresses only
• Ensure the WordPress database user has minimal required privileges (avoid using root or accounts with DROP, ALTER permissions)
• Consider using WordPress security plugins that provide virtual patching capabilities for known vulnerabilities

# WordPress plugin management - deactivate vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate launchpage-app-importer --path=/var/www/html/wordpress

# Remove the vulnerable plugin entirely
wp plugin delete launchpage-app-importer --path=/var/www/html/wordpress

# Verify plugin removal
wp plugin list --path=/var/www/html/wordpress | grep launchpage

# Review database user privileges - connect to MySQL and verify
# mysql -u root -p -e "SHOW GRANTS FOR 'wordpress_user'@'localhost';"