CVE-2025-13431: SlimStat Analytics WordPress SQL Injection

CVE-2025-13431 Overview

The SlimStat Analytics plugin for WordPress contains a time-based SQL Injection vulnerability in all versions up to and including 5.3.1. The flaw exists in the args parameter due to insufficient escaping on user-supplied input and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access and above to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries, enabling the extraction of sensitive information from the database.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers can exploit this SQL Injection vulnerability to extract sensitive information from the WordPress database, potentially compromising user credentials, personal data, and site configuration.

Affected Products

• SlimStat Analytics WordPress Plugin versions up to and including 5.3.1
• WordPress installations with vulnerable SlimStat Analytics plugin installed
• Any WordPress site where Subscriber-level or higher user accounts exist

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-11 - CVE-2025-13431 published to NVD
• 2026-02-11 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-13431

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as a Time-Based SQL Injection (CWE-89), which occurs when user-supplied data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. In the case of SlimStat Analytics, the args parameter within the Chart module fails to properly escape user input before incorporating it into database queries.

Time-based SQL injection is particularly dangerous because attackers can infer database information through response timing differences, even when the application doesn't directly return query results. By crafting malicious input that causes conditional time delays, attackers can systematically extract data character by character from the database.

The vulnerability requires only Subscriber-level access, which is significant because Subscriber accounts are commonly available on many WordPress sites (for commenting, membership features, etc.), making this a relatively low-barrier attack.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the Chart.php module at line 268 of the SlimStat Analytics plugin. The code fails to implement proper input validation and prepared statements when processing the args parameter. Without adequate escaping mechanisms, user-controlled data flows directly into SQL query construction, enabling injection attacks.

WordPress provides the $wpdb->prepare() method specifically to prevent SQL injection by properly escaping and parameterizing queries. The absence or improper use of this safeguard in the vulnerable code path allows malicious SQL fragments to be executed.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and requires authentication at the Subscriber level or higher. An attacker would need to:

1. Obtain or register a valid WordPress account with at least Subscriber privileges
2. Interact with the SlimStat Analytics plugin functionality that processes the args parameter
3. Inject time-based SQL payloads to extract database information through response timing analysis

The vulnerability is found in the Chart module of the plugin. For detailed technical analysis of the vulnerable code, refer to the WordPress Plugin Code Review and the Wordfence Vulnerability Analysis.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-13431

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual database query patterns originating from WordPress user sessions with Subscriber-level accounts
• Requests containing SQL keywords such as SLEEP(), BENCHMARK(), or WAITFOR in the args parameter
• Anomalous response time patterns suggesting time-based SQL injection probing
• Unexpected database access patterns or elevated query volumes from the SlimStat Analytics plugin

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web application logs for requests to SlimStat Analytics endpoints containing suspicious SQL syntax in the args parameter
• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block common SQL injection patterns
• Enable WordPress database query logging and analyze for unusual or malformed queries originating from the plugin
• Deploy endpoint detection solutions to identify SQL injection attack patterns in real-time

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure alerting for requests with abnormally long response times that may indicate time-based SQL injection attempts
• Audit user accounts with Subscriber-level access for suspicious activity patterns
• Review SlimStat Analytics access logs for repeated requests with varying args parameter values
• Implement database activity monitoring to detect unauthorized data extraction attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-13431

Immediate Actions Required

• Update SlimStat Analytics plugin to a patched version beyond 5.3.1 immediately
• Review and audit Subscriber-level accounts for any signs of compromise or suspicious activity
• Temporarily disable the SlimStat Analytics plugin if an update is not immediately available
• Implement WAF rules to filter SQL injection patterns targeting the args parameter

Patch Information

Organizations should update the SlimStat Analytics plugin to the latest available version that addresses this SQL Injection vulnerability. Monitor the official WordPress plugin repository for security updates. Review the Wordfence Vulnerability Analysis for additional patch guidance and remediation steps.

Workarounds

• Restrict access to the SlimStat Analytics plugin functionality to only Administrator-level users until patched
• Implement input validation at the web server or WAF level to filter potentially malicious args parameter values
• Consider temporarily disabling the plugin if the analytics functionality is not critical to operations
• Audit and remove unnecessary Subscriber-level accounts to reduce the attack surface

# WordPress CLI command to deactivate SlimStat Analytics plugin
wp plugin deactivate wp-slimstat --path=/var/www/html

# Check current plugin version
wp plugin list --path=/var/www/html | grep slimstat

# Update plugin when patch is available
wp plugin update wp-slimstat --path=/var/www/html