CVE-2024-10009 is a medium-severity SQL Injection vulnerability identified in the Melapress File Monitor WordPress plugin versions prior to 2.1.0. The vulnerability arises because the plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape a parameter before incorporating it into an SQL query. This improper handling allows users with administrative privileges to inject malicious SQL code into the database query. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 (SQL Injection), which is a common and critical web application security flaw. Exploitation requires administrative privileges (PR:H), no user interaction (UI:N), and can be executed remotely (AV:N). The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality of data (C:L) but does not affect integrity or availability. The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component. Although the CVSS score is 4.1 (medium), the requirement for admin privileges limits the attack surface to users who already have elevated access. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The plugin is used within WordPress environments, which are widely deployed for websites and content management, making the vulnerability relevant to any organization using this plugin. The vulnerability could allow an attacker with admin rights to extract sensitive data from the database, potentially leading to information disclosure or further exploitation if combined with other vulnerabilities.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability depends largely on the presence and usage of the Melapress File Monitor plugin within their WordPress installations. Organizations relying on this plugin for file monitoring could face risks of unauthorized data disclosure if an attacker with admin privileges exploits the SQL injection flaw. While the vulnerability does not allow privilege escalation or direct modification of data, the exposure of confidential information could lead to compliance violations under GDPR, reputational damage, and potential financial penalties. Given that WordPress is a popular CMS in Europe, especially among SMEs and public sector entities, any vulnerable plugin represents a risk vector. The requirement for admin privileges reduces the likelihood of external attackers exploiting this vulnerability directly; however, insider threats or compromised admin accounts could be leveraged. Additionally, the vulnerability could be chained with other exploits to escalate impact. The lack of a patch at the time of publication means organizations must rely on mitigating controls until an update is available.

European organizations should first inventory their WordPress environments to identify installations using the Melapress File Monitor plugin. If found, immediate steps include restricting administrative access to trusted personnel only and enforcing strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of credential compromise. Network segmentation and monitoring of admin activities can help detect suspicious behavior. Until a patch is released, consider disabling or uninstalling the plugin if feasible. Web application firewalls (WAFs) can be configured to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting this plugin’s parameters. Regularly review WordPress and plugin updates and subscribe to security advisories from trusted sources to apply patches promptly once available. Additionally, conduct database access audits to detect unusual queries that may indicate exploitation attempts. Implementing least privilege principles for database access and hardening the WordPress environment overall will reduce the attack surface.