Urgent Security Alert: SQL Injection Flaw Plagues db-access WordPress Plugin (CVE-2025-13000)

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Important: This post details a known security vulnerability. If you are using the db-access WordPress plugin, please read this carefully and take immediate action to protect your website.

Overview

CVE-2025-13000 identifies a critical SQL injection vulnerability found in the db-access WordPress plugin, affecting versions up to and including 0.8.7. This flaw stems from the lack of proper authorization checks within an AJAX action, allowing authenticated users (even those with minimal privileges, such as subscribers) to potentially execute arbitrary SQL queries against the WordPress database.

Technical Details

The vulnerability resides in an AJAX endpoint within the db-access plugin that lacks sufficient authorization validation. Because of this oversight, any authenticated user, regardless of their assigned role, can trigger this endpoint. By crafting malicious SQL queries and injecting them into parameters passed to this AJAX action, an attacker can bypass security measures and directly interact with the database.

This improper input validation allows attackers to read sensitive data, modify existing information, or even potentially gain complete control over the WordPress site by manipulating administrator accounts or injecting malicious code.

CVSS Analysis

While the CVE entry currently shows “N/A” for severity and CVSS score, it is crucial to understand that this vulnerability poses a significant risk. The absence of a CVSS score doesn’t diminish the potential impact. SQL injection vulnerabilities are generally considered high-severity due to the potential for complete system compromise. A proper CVSS score, once assigned, is likely to be in the High or Critical range.

Possible Impact

Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-13000 can lead to severe consequences, including:

  • Data Breach: Unauthorized access to sensitive information stored in the WordPress database, such as user credentials, customer data, and confidential content.
  • Website Defacement: Modification of website content to display malicious or unwanted information.
  • Account Takeover: Gaining control of administrator accounts, allowing attackers to completely manage the WordPress site.
  • Malware Injection: Injecting malicious code into the website to infect visitors with malware or redirect them to phishing sites.
  • Complete System Compromise: In some scenarios, successful SQL injection can lead to gaining control of the underlying server.

Mitigation or Patch Steps

To mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2025-13000, follow these steps:

  1. Check Your Plugin Version: Determine if you are running a version of the db-access plugin that is vulnerable (versions 0.8.7 and below).
  2. Update the Plugin: The primary mitigation is to update the db-access plugin to the latest version as soon as a patched version is released. This patch will contain the necessary security fixes to address the SQL injection vulnerability.
  3. Disable the Plugin (If No Update Available): If an update is not yet available, temporarily disable the db-access plugin until a patched version is released. This will prevent potential attackers from exploiting the vulnerability.
  4. Web Application Firewall (WAF): Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection protection rules. A WAF can help detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Configure the WAF to specifically filter requests targeting the affected plugin.
  5. Review Security Logs: Monitor your WordPress security logs for any suspicious activity, such as unusual database queries or unauthorized login attempts.

References

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