CVE-2024-12031 is an SQL Injection vulnerability identified in the Advanced Floating Content plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 3.8.2. The root cause is insufficient escaping and lack of prepared statements in the 'floating_content_duplicate_post' function, which processes user-supplied parameters. Authenticated attackers with subscriber-level or higher privileges can exploit this flaw by appending malicious SQL commands to existing queries. This improper neutralization of special elements (CWE-89) enables attackers to extract sensitive information from the underlying database, such as user data or site configuration details. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond authentication and can be exploited remotely over the network. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, reflecting a medium severity with high confidentiality impact but no impact on integrity or availability. Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the ease of exploitation by low-privilege authenticated users makes this a significant risk for affected WordPress sites. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and use of parameterized queries in WordPress plugin development.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-12031 is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored in the WordPress database. Attackers can leverage subscriber-level access, which is commonly granted to registered users, to perform SQL Injection attacks that bypass normal access controls. This can lead to leakage of user credentials, personal data, or site configuration details, potentially facilitating further attacks such as privilege escalation or site compromise. While the vulnerability does not directly affect data integrity or availability, the exposure of confidential data can damage organizational reputation, violate privacy regulations, and lead to financial losses. Websites relying on the Advanced Floating Content plugin are at risk, especially those with large user bases or sensitive data. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests limited current exploitation but also indicates a window for proactive mitigation. Organizations worldwide using this plugin should consider the risk significant due to the ease of exploitation and potential data exposure.

To mitigate CVE-2024-12031, organizations should first restrict subscriber-level and higher user privileges to only trusted individuals, minimizing the attack surface. Implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with SQL Injection detection rules can help block malicious payloads targeting the vulnerable function. Monitoring database query logs for unusual or unexpected queries related to the 'floating_content_duplicate_post' function can provide early detection of exploitation attempts. Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or removing the Advanced Floating Content plugin if it is not essential. Developers and site administrators should advocate for and apply updates promptly once available. Additionally, employing security plugins that enforce strict input validation and parameterized queries can reduce the risk of similar vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on plugin vulnerabilities are recommended to identify and remediate such issues proactively.