Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2024-1118 affects the Podlove Subscribe button WordPress plugin through version 1.3.10. A logged-in user with Contributor-level access or higher could abuse a shortcode field to read or alter database data. This matters most where many users can create content or where contributor accounts are weakly governed.
Executive priority
Treat as high priority for WordPress environments with multiple content authors. The business risk is database exposure or tampering after account compromise or insider misuse. Patch or disable promptly, then tighten author permissions.
Technical view
The flaw is CWE-89 SQL injection in the podlove-subscribe-button shortcode, specifically the button attribute. Sources describe UNION-based injection caused by insufficient escaping and inadequate SQL query preparation. The reported CVSS 3.1 score is 8.8, with network access, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to WordPress installations running Podlove Subscribe button versions up to and including 1.3.10, where an attacker has Contributor-level or higher authentication. Public anonymous exposure is not supported by the provided sources.
Exploitation context
The CVE is not listed as KEV in the provided bundle, and no cited source states active exploitation. The attack requires an authenticated Contributor+ account, which reduces broad internet exposure but remains serious for sites with shared authoring, compromised accounts, or open registration workflows.
Researcher notes
Focus validation on the shortcode handling path and the button attribute. The public description names UNION-based SQL injection but does not provide safe validation detail or evidence of active exploitation. The GitHub commit and WordPress Trac changeset are relevant for fix review.
Mitigation direction
- Update Podlove Subscribe button beyond 1.3.10 if a fixed release is available.
- Disable or remove the plugin if immediate updating is not possible.
- Restrict Contributor and higher roles to trusted users only.
- Review vendor, Wordfence, and WordPress plugin guidance for fixed versions.
- Monitor content changes involving podlove-subscribe-button shortcodes.
Validation and detection
- Inventory WordPress sites for the Podlove Subscribe button plugin.
- Confirm installed plugin versions are not 1.3.10 or earlier.
- Review whether untrusted users hold Contributor or higher roles.
- Check posts and pages for podlove-subscribe-button shortcode usage.
- Review relevant audit logs for suspicious content edits by Contributor+ users.
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-2024-1118 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
- 8.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/f234f05f-e377-4e89-81e1-f47ff44eebc5?source=cveCVE reference
- https://github.com/podlove/podlove-subscribe-button-wp-plugin/commit/b16b7a2e98db4c642ca671b0aede4dbfce4578b3CVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=3032152%40podlove-subscribe-button&new=3032152%40podlove-subscribe-button&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=CVE reference
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.