CVE-2019-12516 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

WordPress SlickQuiz Plugin SQL Injection Vulnerability

Understanding CVE-2019-12516

What is CVE-2019-12516?

The slickquiz plugin for WordPress versions up to 1.3.7.1 has a vulnerability that allows SQL injection by Subscriber users. This vulnerability can be exploited through different URIs such as /wp-admin/admin.php?page=slickquiz-scores&id=, /wp-admin/admin.php?page=slickquiz-edit&id=, or /wp-admin/admin.php?page=slickquiz-preview&id=.

The Impact of CVE-2019-12516

This vulnerability allows unauthorized Subscriber users to execute SQL injection attacks on the WordPress SlickQuiz plugin, potentially leading to data manipulation, unauthorized access, or data loss.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-12516

Vulnerability Description

The slickquiz plugin through version 1.3.7.1 for WordPress is susceptible to SQL Injection by Subscriber users, demonstrated by specific URIs.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: WordPress SlickQuiz Plugin
Versions affected: Up to 1.3.7.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by accessing URIs like /wp-admin/admin.php?page=slickquiz-scores&id=, /wp-admin/admin.php?page=slickquiz-edit&id=, or /wp-admin/admin.php?page=slickquiz-preview&id=.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or remove the slickquiz plugin if not essential for operations.
Monitor website logs for any suspicious activity or unauthorized access attempts.
Implement strict access controls and user permissions to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update WordPress plugins and themes to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address any security weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Update the WordPress SlickQuiz plugin to the latest version to mitigate the SQL Injection vulnerability.