Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This affects a WordPress plugin used to add fixed side buttons. In versions before 3.1.5, an Administrator-only delete action could place user-controlled input into a database query unsafely, creating SQL injection risk. The practical concern is highest if an admin account is compromised or untrusted.
Executive priority
Treat as a targeted WordPress hygiene issue, not a broad emergency. Prioritize patching where the plugin is installed on business-critical sites, especially where multiple administrators exist or admin credentials may be exposed.
Technical view
The Side Menu plugin’s menu delete functionality used the did GET parameter in an SQL statement without proper sanitisation, validation, or escaping. Sources classify it as CWE-89 SQL Injection and describe access as authenticated Administrator or higher. The bundle does not provide CVSS details.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to WordPress sites running Side Menu – add fixed side buttons before 3.1.5. The vulnerable path requires Administrator-level access, so internet-wide unauthenticated exposure is not supported by the provided evidence.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show active exploitation, and the CVE is not listed as KEV. Exploitation would require Administrator-level access to the affected WordPress site, making account compromise, malicious insiders, or shared admin environments the main concern.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports authenticated admin-plus SQL injection in the menu delete flow through the did GET parameter. No CVSS vector, exploit-in-the-wild claim, or unauthenticated path is provided in the bundle. The affected-version wording should be read as versions before 3.1.5.
Mitigation direction
- Update the Side Menu plugin to version 3.1.5 or later.
- Remove the plugin if it is not operationally required.
- Restrict WordPress Administrator accounts to trusted users only.
- Review vendor and WPScan guidance for any newer remediation notes.
- Monitor admin activity and database error logs for suspicious behavior.
Validation and detection
- Inventory WordPress sites for the Side Menu plugin.
- Confirm installed plugin versions are 3.1.5 or later.
- Check whether any sites still expose Administrator accounts broadly.
- Review recent admin actions involving menu deletion.
- Look for database errors or anomalous queries around admin sessions.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-89: Database access and collection lookup
Injection into data stores can inform collection, data access, and exfiltration detection reviews. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupDatabase behavior lookup
The CVE wording references database injection or access, so collection and exfiltration review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-24348 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/e0ca257e-6e78-4611-a9ad-be43d37cf474CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://codevigilant.com/disclosure/2021/wp-plugin-side-menu/CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.