CVE-2024-13184 is a time-based SQL Injection vulnerability found in The Ultimate WordPress Toolkit – WP Extended plugin for WordPress, specifically within the Login Attempts module. The vulnerability exists in all plugin versions up to and including 3.0.12 due to insufficient escaping of user-supplied parameters and inadequate preparation of SQL queries. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious SQL payloads into existing queries, enabling them to extract sensitive information from the backend database by leveraging time delays to infer data. The attack vector requires no authentication or user interaction, increasing the risk of automated exploitation. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command), a common and critical web application security issue. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.5, reflecting high severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. While no public exploits are currently known, the widespread use of WordPress and the plugin's presence in many sites globally make this a significant threat. The lack of a patch at the time of reporting necessitates immediate mitigation efforts to prevent potential data breaches.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-13184 is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data from the WordPress site's database. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can extract confidential information such as user credentials, personal data, or site configuration details, potentially leading to further compromise or identity theft. Although the vulnerability does not directly affect data integrity or availability, the exposure of sensitive information can undermine trust, cause regulatory compliance violations (e.g., GDPR), and result in reputational damage. Given that WordPress powers a significant portion of the web, and this plugin is used in numerous installations, the scope of affected systems is substantial. The ease of exploitation without authentication or user interaction increases the likelihood of automated attacks and scanning by threat actors. Organizations relying on this plugin face heightened risk of data breaches, especially if they have not implemented compensating controls or timely updates.

1. Monitor for an official patch or update from the plugin vendor and apply it immediately once available. 2. In the absence of a patch, disable or restrict access to the Login Attempts module within the plugin to prevent exploitation. 3. Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with robust SQL Injection detection and prevention rules tailored for WordPress environments to block malicious payloads targeting this vulnerability. 4. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied parameters at the application level if customization is possible. 5. Limit database user permissions to the minimum necessary, avoiding excessive privileges that could be exploited through SQL injection. 6. Regularly audit and monitor web server and database logs for unusual query patterns or time delays indicative of exploitation attempts. 7. Educate site administrators on the risks and signs of SQL injection attacks to improve incident response readiness. 8. Consider isolating critical WordPress instances or sensitive data behind additional security layers or network segmentation to reduce exposure.