If you use WordPress, plugins help you add cool features to your website. But sometimes, plugins can have security bugs that put your site and users at risk. One such bug, tracked as CVE-2023-5433, was found in the popular Message Ticker plugin (up to version 9.2). In this post, we’ll break down the vulnerability in simple terms, show how it works, and discuss how you can protect your site.
What is the Message Ticker Plugin?
Message Ticker lets WordPress site owners display scrolling messages, like news or alerts, anywhere on their sites using a shortcode. It’s handy and widely used, but versions up to 9.2 contain a dangerous SQL Injection flaw.
What’s SQL Injection?
SQL Injection is when an attacker tricks a program into sending harmful SQL queries to the database, allowing them to see, change, or delete data they shouldn’t have access to.
It failed to properly clean ("escape") input passed to the shortcode.
- The plugin directly inserted this user data into an SQL query without using safe coding methods (like prepared statements).
- Result: A logged-in attacker (even a low-level subscriber) could leak sensitive info from the database.
The plugin’s shortcode can be used like this
[message_ticker category="1"]
But because the code wasn’t safely handling the category parameter, a subscriber could use
[message_ticker category="1' UNION SELECT user_login, user_pass FROM wp_users -- "]
The plugin built an SQL query something like this (simplified for clarity)
$sql = "SELECT * FROM {$table_name} WHERE category = '" . $_GET['category'] . "'";
This directly glues whatever the user typed into the SQL, allowing an attacker to run any command they want!
Exploit Example
Suppose an attacker wants to dump all usernames and password hashes from wp_users. They could set the category parameter to:
1' UNION SELECT user_login, user_pass, 1, 2, 3 FROM wp_users --
The SQL becomes
SELECT * FROM wp_message_ticker WHERE category = '1' UNION SELECT user_login, user_pass, 1, 2, 3 FROM wp_users --'
This returns all tickers for category 1 plus a list of user logins and password hashes!
Links to References
- Original Vulnerability Report on WPScan
- NVD Entry for CVE-2023-5433
- WordPress Plugin Repository: Message Ticker
Sites using Message Ticker plugin up to 9.2
- Attackers need at least a "Subscriber" WordPress role (even the lowest logged-in role can exploit it)
Remove Unneeded Subscriber Accounts: Minimize the attack surface.
- Monitor for Signs of Exploitation: Check for strange posts or tickers with suspicious shortcodes.
$sql = $wpdb->prepare("SELECT * FROM {$table_name} WHERE category = %s", $_GET['category']);
`
- Sanitize input: Always check and escape user data.
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## Conclusion
CVE-2023-5433 is a strong reminder that even simple plugins can open big holes in your site’s security if not coded safely. If you run Message Ticker, update now and be wary of any plugin that doesn’t show recent security attention. And if you’re a developer, always sanitize, escape, and use prepared statements for anything touching the database.
*Stay safe!* 🚨
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*This analysis is written exclusively for your security awareness. Only test exploits on systems you own or have permission for.*
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If you found this helpful, check the references above for more details and keep your WordPress installation secured!
Timeline
Published on: 10/31/2023 09:15:08 UTC
Last modified on: 11/07/2023 04:24:00 UTC