CVE-2024-7717 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability identified in the WP Events Manager plugin for WordPress, developed by thimpress. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands (CWE-89) specifically through the ‘order’ parameter. This parameter is used in SQL queries without adequate escaping or prepared statements, allowing attackers with authenticated access at the Subscriber level or higher to append arbitrary SQL commands. The attack vector is a time-based SQL Injection, which can be exploited to extract sensitive information from the backend database by measuring response delays. The vulnerability affects all plugin versions up to and including 2.1.11. The CVSS v3.1 score is 8.8 (high), reflecting the network attack vector, low attack complexity, required privileges (low), no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the vulnerability’s nature and ease of exploitation make it a critical concern for WordPress sites using this plugin. The lack of patch links indicates that a fix may not yet be publicly available, increasing the urgency for mitigation.

The exploitation of CVE-2024-7717 can lead to severe consequences for affected organizations. Attackers can extract sensitive data such as user credentials, personal information, or business-critical data from the WordPress database. The integrity of the database can be compromised by unauthorized modification or deletion of records, potentially disrupting event management operations. Availability may also be impacted if attackers execute destructive queries or cause database locks. Since the vulnerability requires only Subscriber-level authentication, it lowers the barrier for exploitation, increasing risk from insider threats or compromised low-privilege accounts. Organizations relying on WP Events Manager for event scheduling, ticketing, or user management face risks of data breaches, reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and operational disruption. The vulnerability’s presence in a widely used WordPress plugin amplifies its potential impact across diverse sectors including education, entertainment, and corporate event management.

1. Immediate mitigation involves restricting Subscriber-level user capabilities to minimize exposure until a patch is available. 2. Monitor and audit logs for unusual database query patterns or unexpected delays indicative of time-based SQL Injection attempts. 3. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block malicious payloads targeting the ‘order’ parameter. 4. If feasible, temporarily disable or replace the WP Events Manager plugin with alternative event management solutions that are not vulnerable. 5. Follow best practices by enforcing least privilege access controls and regularly reviewing user roles to limit authenticated users to only necessary permissions. 6. Once available, promptly apply official patches or updates from thimpress addressing this vulnerability. 7. Consider implementing database-level protections such as query parameterization and strict input validation on the application side. 8. Conduct security assessments and penetration testing focused on SQL Injection vectors to identify and remediate similar issues proactively.