Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This flaw affects the Popup box WordPress plugin before 2.3.4. An authenticated user in the admin dashboard could influence database queries through an unchecked sorting parameter, creating a blind SQL injection risk. The sources do not provide CVSS scoring or evidence of active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat this as a targeted WordPress plugin risk, not a broad emergency. Prioritize sites with the vulnerable plugin, many admin users, or exposed admin portals. Patch during the next security maintenance window unless privileged-account compromise is suspected.
Technical view
The plugin functions get_ays_popupboxes() and get_popup_categories() used an unvalidated orderby parameter inside SQL passed to WordPress get_results() calls. This is CWE-89 SQL injection, described as authenticated blind SQL injection in the admin dashboard for Popup box versions before 2.3.4.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to WordPress sites running the Popup box plugin before 2.3.4, especially where multiple users can access plugin admin dashboard functions. Internet-facing WordPress admin access increases operational risk.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not state active exploitation, and CISA KEV status is false. The vulnerability is authenticated and admin-dashboard scoped, but SQL injection can still threaten database confidentiality and integrity if reachable by a privileged or compromised account.
Researcher notes
Evidence is specific but limited: vulnerable functions and parameter are named, but no CVSS vector, proof-of-concept status, or detailed vendor advisory is included in the source bundle. Avoid assuming unauthenticated reachability or active exploitation from these sources.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites for the Popup box plugin and its installed version.
- Upgrade affected installations to 2.3.4 or later, following vendor guidance.
- Restrict WordPress admin access to trusted users and networks where practical.
- Review admin accounts for unnecessary plugin management privileges.
- Monitor vendor and WordPress plugin advisories for any updated remediation guidance.
Validation and detection
- Confirm no production site runs Popup box versions before 2.3.4.
- Verify plugin admin access is limited to expected trusted roles.
- Review recent WordPress admin activity for unexpected plugin-dashboard use.
- Check database and application logs for unusual query errors tied to the plugin.
- Confirm backups exist before remediation and after version changes.
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-2021-24458 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/8a588266-54cd-4779-adcf-f9b9e226c297CVE 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.