CVE-2024-55983 Overview
CVE-2024-55983 is a SQL injection vulnerability in the PowerFormBuilder WordPress plugin (power-forms-builder). The flaw affects all versions up to and including 1.0.6. The plugin fails to properly neutralize special elements in SQL commands, allowing authenticated attackers with low privileges to inject arbitrary SQL statements. The weakness is classified under CWE-89, Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. Exploitation occurs over the network without user interaction and can result in unauthorized disclosure of database contents and partial impact to service availability.
Critical Impact
An authenticated attacker can inject SQL commands through the PowerFormBuilder plugin to read sensitive WordPress database contents, including user credentials and session tokens.
Affected Products
- PowerFormBuilder power-forms-builder WordPress plugin
- All versions from initial release through 1.0.6
- WordPress sites with the vulnerable plugin activated
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-12-18 - CVE-2024-55983 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-55983
Vulnerability Analysis
The PowerFormBuilder plugin constructs SQL queries using unsanitized user-supplied input. Because parameter values reach the database layer without proper escaping or prepared statement binding, an attacker can break out of the intended query context and append arbitrary SQL clauses. The vulnerability requires low-privilege authentication but no user interaction, and its scope extends beyond the vulnerable component to affect other resources in the WordPress environment.
Successful exploitation exposes the confidentiality of the WordPress database, which typically contains user records, hashed passwords, session tokens stored in wp_usermeta, and plugin configuration data. The attack also carries a limited availability impact through resource-intensive injected queries.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special SQL characters ([CWE-89]) in one or more plugin endpoints that accept user input. The plugin concatenates request parameters directly into SQL statements instead of using WordPress's $wpdb->prepare() API with placeholder binding. This design flaw allows metacharacters such as single quotes, comments, and UNION operators to alter query semantics.
Attack Vector
The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network by an authenticated user with subscriber-level or higher privileges. An attacker submits crafted parameters to a plugin endpoint that processes form data. The injected payload modifies the underlying SQL query, allowing extraction of arbitrary rows through UNION-based or boolean-based blind techniques. See the Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability advisory for endpoint-specific technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-55983
Indicators of Compromise
- Web server access logs containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, UNION SELECT, or SLEEP( in requests to PowerFormBuilder plugin endpoints
- Unexpected authenticated requests to plugin AJAX handlers or REST routes from low-privilege user accounts
- Database error messages referencing MySQL syntax appearing in application logs following plugin requests
- Anomalous outbound queries against wp_users, wp_usermeta, or wp_options originating from PowerFormBuilder code paths
Detection Strategies
- Deploy a web application firewall rule set that inspects requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php and REST endpoints for SQL injection patterns
- Enable MySQL general query logging or slow query logs to identify malformed or unusually long queries generated by the plugin
- Correlate authenticated WordPress sessions with abnormal query volume or query patterns using SIEM analytics
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor for spikes in database query duration or row scans tied to plugin activity
- Alert on any WordPress user account escalating privileges or exporting user data shortly after form submissions
- Track file integrity of PowerFormBuilder plugin files and any writes to WordPress configuration tables
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-55983
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate and remove the PowerFormBuilder plugin from WordPress installations running version 1.0.6 or earlier until a patched release is verified
- Audit the wp_users and wp_usermeta tables for unauthorized accounts, elevated roles, or unexpected session_tokens entries
- Rotate WordPress administrator and database credentials if evidence of exploitation exists
- Restrict registration and lower the trust boundary for subscriber-tier accounts on affected sites
Patch Information
At the time of NVD publication, the advisory lists affected versions through <= 1.0.6 with no fixed version identified. Site owners should consult the Patchstack advisory for the current patch status and apply any vendor update as soon as it becomes available.
Workarounds
- Use a WordPress virtual patching solution or WAF ruleset that blocks SQL injection payloads targeting the plugin's request paths
- Remove the plugin entirely and replace it with a maintained form builder that follows secure query practices
- Enforce least-privilege on WordPress roles and disable open user registration where the plugin exposes authenticated endpoints
- Restrict database user permissions used by WordPress to prevent access to tables outside the site's schema
# Configuration example: remove the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate power-forms-builder
wp plugin delete power-forms-builder
# Optional: audit for suspicious admin accounts created recently
wp user list --role=administrator --fields=ID,user_login,user_registered
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
