CVE-2024-7548 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability identified in the LearnPress – WordPress LMS Plugin, a widely used learning management system plugin for WordPress. The vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 4.2.6.9.3 and is caused by improper neutralization of special elements in the 'order' parameter used in SQL queries. Specifically, the plugin fails to properly escape or prepare the user-supplied 'order' parameter, allowing an authenticated attacker with Contributor-level or higher privileges to inject arbitrary SQL commands. This injection is time-based, enabling attackers to infer data by measuring response delays, which can be exploited to extract sensitive information from the backend database. The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system, as attackers can read sensitive data, modify database contents, or disrupt service. The CVSS v3.1 score is 8.8 (high), reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, required privileges, no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no known exploits are publicly reported, the ease of exploitation by authenticated users and the plugin's popularity make this a significant threat. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and use of parameterized queries in WordPress plugin development.

The impact of CVE-2024-7548 is substantial for organizations using the LearnPress plugin to manage online learning environments. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data such as user credentials, course content, and personal information stored in the database. Attackers could also alter or delete critical data, undermining the integrity of the LMS platform and potentially causing denial of service. Given the Contributor-level access requirement, attackers might leverage compromised or low-privilege accounts to escalate their impact. Educational institutions, training providers, and enterprises relying on LearnPress face risks of data breaches, reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and operational disruption. The vulnerability's network accessibility and lack of user interaction requirement increase the likelihood of exploitation in targeted attacks. Additionally, the widespread use of WordPress and LearnPress in various countries amplifies the global risk exposure.

To mitigate CVE-2024-7548, organizations should immediately update the LearnPress plugin to a patched version once released by the vendor. Until a patch is available, administrators should restrict Contributor-level and higher privileges to trusted users only, minimizing the attack surface. Implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with SQL Injection detection rules can help block malicious payloads targeting the 'order' parameter. Conduct thorough access reviews and monitor logs for unusual database query patterns or delayed responses indicative of time-based SQL Injection attempts. Developers maintaining custom LearnPress integrations should audit code for unsafe SQL query constructions and refactor to use parameterized queries or prepared statements. Additionally, applying the principle of least privilege on database accounts used by WordPress can limit the damage from successful injections. Regular backups and incident response plans should be in place to recover from potential data compromise.