Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-44779 affects the [GWA] AutoResponder WordPress plugin through an unauthenticated SQL injection flaw. A public attacker could potentially read, change, or disrupt limited database data. The source bundle says versions 2.3 and earlier are affected, no patched version is available, and the plugin is closed.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority removal issue for any site using the plugin. The business risk is elevated because exploitation requires no login and no vendor patch is identified in the provided sources.
Technical view
The flaw is CWE-89 SQL injection in the plugin’s listid handling. CVSS 3.1 is 7.3: network reachable, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, unchanged scope, with low confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. Sources identify affected versions as <= 2.3.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to WordPress sites that have [GWA] AutoResponder installed at version 2.3 or earlier. Sites without this plugin are not indicated as affected by the provided sources.
Exploitation context
The vulnerability is unauthenticated and remotely reachable according to the CVSS vector. The provided source bundle does not list CISA KEV status and does not provide evidence of active exploitation.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports unauthenticated SQL injection in [GWA] AutoResponder <= 2.3. The sources do not establish active exploitation, exploit maturity, affected CPEs, or a vendor-supplied fix. Avoid assuming impact beyond the CVSS low C/I/A ratings.
Mitigation direction
- Disable and remove the [GWA] AutoResponder plugin from affected WordPress sites.
- Do not rely on an upgrade; the source bundle says no patched version is available.
- Replace the plugin with a maintained alternative after risk review.
- Check WordPress.org, CVE, and Patchstack for any later vendor guidance.
Validation and detection
- Inventory WordPress sites for the [GWA] AutoResponder plugin.
- Confirm whether any installed version is 2.3 or earlier.
- Review WordPress and web access logs for suspicious requests involving the plugin and listid parameter.
- Verify the plugin is removed or disabled after mitigation.
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-2021-44779 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
- High
- CVSS
- 7.3 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
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 vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L3.93.4Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.3HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/gwa-autoresponder/CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/gwa-autoresponder/wordpress-gwa-autoresponder-plugin-2-3-unauthenticated-sql-injection-sqli-vulnerabilityCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
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.