CVE-2024-9879 is a medium-severity SQL Injection vulnerability identified in the Melapress File Monitor WordPress plugin versions prior to 2.1.1. The vulnerability arises because the plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape a parameter before incorporating it into a SQL query. This flaw allows users with administrative privileges to inject malicious SQL code, potentially manipulating the database. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, which pertains to improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4, reflecting a network attack vector with low attack complexity, requiring privileges (admin level), no user interaction, and impacting confidentiality and integrity but not availability. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure or modification of data stored in the WordPress database, such as posts, user information, or configuration settings. However, the requirement for administrative privileges limits the attack surface to users who already have elevated access, reducing the risk of exploitation by external unauthenticated attackers. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches or updates have been linked yet, indicating that mitigation may rely on plugin updates once available or manual code review and sanitization by site administrators.

For European organizations using WordPress sites with the Melapress File Monitor plugin, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the confidentiality and integrity of website data. An attacker with admin access could leverage the SQL injection to extract sensitive information, alter content, or manipulate site configurations, potentially leading to data breaches or defacement. Given the widespread use of WordPress across Europe for business, governmental, and non-profit websites, exploitation could undermine trust and compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR. However, since exploitation requires administrative privileges, the threat is more relevant in scenarios where insider threats exist or where admin accounts have been compromised through other means. The vulnerability does not affect availability, so denial-of-service impacts are unlikely. Organizations with strict access controls and monitoring of admin activities are less exposed, but those with weak credential management or insufficient privilege separation may face elevated risks.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the Melapress File Monitor plugin and verify its version. Until an official patch is released, administrators should consider disabling or removing the plugin if it is not essential. For sites requiring the plugin, manual code review and sanitization of the vulnerable parameter should be performed by qualified developers, ensuring that all inputs are properly escaped or parameterized before database queries. Additionally, organizations should enforce strong administrative access controls, including multi-factor authentication, to reduce the risk of credential compromise. Regular monitoring of admin activities and database query logs can help detect suspicious behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Backup procedures should be reviewed and tested to enable rapid recovery in case of data manipulation. Finally, organizations should stay alert for updates from the plugin vendor or WordPress security advisories to apply patches promptly once available.