CVE-2024-13778 is an SQL Injection vulnerability identified in the Hero Mega Menu - Responsive WordPress Menu Plugin, a widely used plugin for creating responsive menus in WordPress websites. The flaw exists in all versions up to and including 1.16.5 due to improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands (CWE-89). Specifically, the plugin fails to sufficiently escape user-supplied parameters and does not adequately prepare SQL queries, allowing an authenticated attacker with Subscriber-level privileges or higher to inject additional SQL commands. This injection can be used to extract sensitive information from the backend database without requiring further user interaction. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.5, reflecting a medium severity level, with an attack vector of network, low attack complexity, and privileges required at the low level (authenticated users). The scope remains unchanged, and the impact is primarily on confidentiality, with no direct impact on integrity or availability. No patches or exploits are currently publicly available, but the vulnerability poses a risk to any WordPress site using this plugin, especially those allowing subscriber-level users to interact with the menu functionality. The issue highlights the importance of proper input validation and parameterized queries in WordPress plugin development.

The primary impact of this vulnerability is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data from the WordPress database. Attackers with low-level authenticated access can leverage the SQL Injection flaw to extract user data, configuration details, or other confidential information stored in the database. This can lead to privacy violations, data breaches, and potential escalation of attacks if sensitive credentials or tokens are exposed. While the vulnerability does not allow direct modification or deletion of data, the confidentiality breach alone can severely damage organizational reputation and compliance posture. Websites relying on the Hero Mega Menu plugin are at risk of targeted attacks, especially if subscriber accounts are compromised or created by malicious actors. The vulnerability could also facilitate further attacks by revealing internal database structure or credentials. Given WordPress’s extensive use worldwide, the potential impact spans small businesses to large enterprises using this plugin for site navigation.

1. Immediately update the Hero Mega Menu plugin to a patched version once released by the vendor. Monitor official channels for security updates. 2. Until a patch is available, restrict Subscriber-level user capabilities to the minimum necessary, limiting access to menu-related functions. 3. Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL Injection detection and prevention rules to block malicious payloads targeting this vulnerability. 4. Employ database query logging and monitoring to detect unusual or unauthorized SQL queries that may indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Harden WordPress installations by disabling unnecessary plugins and restricting user registrations to trusted users only. 6. Review and sanitize all user inputs in custom code interacting with the plugin or database. 7. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans focusing on WordPress plugins and their versions. 8. Educate site administrators and users about the risks of SQL Injection and the importance of applying security updates promptly.