CVE-2021-36916 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A SQL injection vulnerability was discovered in the Hide My WP WordPress plugin versions <= 6.2.3, allowing attackers to execute malicious SQL queries through IP address headers.

Understanding CVE-2021-36916

This CVE involves an unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability in the Hide My WP premium plugin version <= 6.2.3.

What is CVE-2021-36916?

The vulnerability arises from how the plugin retrieves and uses IP addresses inside SQL queries, enabling attackers to exploit specific IP address headers to execute SQL injection attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2021-36916

With a CVSS base score of 8.6 (High severity), this vulnerability can result in the compromise of data integrity and potential unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-36916

This section provides insight into the vulnerability's description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate IP address headers and inject malicious SQL queries due to how the plugin retrieves and processes IP addresses.

Affected Systems and Versions

Hide My WP WordPress plugin versions <= 6.2.3 are susceptible to this SQL injection vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the flaw by supplying a malicious payload in IP address headers, which is directly inserted into SQL queries.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2021-36916, immediate security measures and long-term best practices are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update the Hide My WP plugin to version 6.2.4 or higher to mitigate the risk of SQL injection attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Enhance overall security posture by regularly updating plugins, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting security audits.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitor for security patches and updates released by the plugin vendor to address identified vulnerabilities.