Vulnerability identifier: #VU59291

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv3.1: 7.9 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2022-21664

CWE-ID: CWE-89

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
WordPress
Web applications / CMS

Vendor: WordPress.ORG

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary SQL queries in database.

The vulnerability exists due to insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data in WP_Meta_Query. A remote attacker can send a specially crafted request to the affected application and execute arbitrary SQL commands within the application database.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may allow a remote attacker to read, delete, modify data in database and gain complete control over the affected application.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

WordPress: 5.4 - 5.4.8, 5.3 - 5.3.10, 5.2 - 5.2.13, 5.8 - 5.8.2, 5.7 - 5.7.4, 5.6 - 5.6.6, 5.5 - 5.5.7, 5.1 - 5.1.11, 5.0 - 5.0.14, 4.9 - 4.9.18, 4.8 - 4.8.17, 4.7 - 4.7.21, 4.6 - 4.6.21, 4.5 - 4.5.24, 4.4 - 4.4.25, 4.3 - 4.3.26, 4.2 - 4.2.30, 4.1 - 4.1.33

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External links
http://wordpress.org/news/2022/01/wordpress-5-8-3-security-release/

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.