CVE-2024-7349 is a blind SQL Injection vulnerability identified in the LifterLMS plugin for WordPress, a popular learning management system used for eLearning, online courses, and quizzes. The flaw exists in all versions up to and including 7.7.5, where the 'order' parameter in SQL queries is insufficiently sanitized. Specifically, the plugin fails to properly escape or prepare the user-supplied 'order' parameter before incorporating it into SQL statements, allowing an attacker with administrator-level access to append malicious SQL code. This improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands (CWE-89) enables the attacker to perform blind SQL Injection attacks, potentially extracting sensitive data from the backend database without direct visibility of query results. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require elevated privileges, limiting exploitation to authenticated administrators or higher. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 reflects the network attack vector, low attack complexity, high privileges required, and significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known public exploits have been reported yet, but the risk remains substantial given the sensitive nature of LMS data and the widespread use of WordPress plugins in education sectors.

The impact of CVE-2024-7349 is significant for organizations using the LifterLMS plugin, as it allows attackers with administrative access to extract sensitive information from the database, including user data, course content, and potentially credentials or configuration details. This can lead to data breaches, loss of intellectual property, and disruption of eLearning services. The integrity of the LMS data can be compromised by unauthorized modifications, and availability may be affected if attackers execute destructive SQL commands. Since the vulnerability requires high privileges, the primary risk is insider threats or compromised administrator accounts. However, once exploited, attackers can escalate their control and potentially pivot to other parts of the network. Educational institutions, training providers, and enterprises relying on LifterLMS for critical learning infrastructure face reputational damage, regulatory compliance issues, and operational downtime if exploited.

To mitigate CVE-2024-7349, organizations should immediately update the LifterLMS plugin to a patched version once available. In the absence of an official patch, administrators should restrict access to the WordPress admin panel to trusted users only and enforce strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of compromised admin accounts. Additionally, applying Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules that detect and block SQL Injection patterns targeting the 'order' parameter can provide temporary protection. Reviewing and hardening database permissions to limit the impact of SQL Injection is also recommended. Developers maintaining custom integrations with LifterLMS should audit their code for unsafe SQL query constructions and implement parameterized queries or prepared statements. Regularly monitoring logs for suspicious SQL activity and conducting security assessments on WordPress plugins can help detect exploitation attempts early.