CVE-2025-14353: WordPress ZIP Code Plugin SQLi Flaw

CVE-2025-14353 Overview

The ZIP Code Based Content Protection plugin for WordPress contains a SQL Injection vulnerability in all versions up to and including 1.0.2. The vulnerability exists in the zipcode parameter, which fails to properly escape user-supplied input and lacks sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This flaw enables unauthenticated attackers to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries, potentially allowing extraction of sensitive information from the WordPress database.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this SQL Injection vulnerability to extract sensitive data from WordPress databases, including user credentials, configuration data, and potentially any information stored in the database.

Affected Products

• ZIP Code Based Content Protection plugin for WordPress versions up to and including 1.0.2

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-03-07 - CVE CVE-2025-14353 published to NVD
• 2026-03-09 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-14353

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) affects the ZIP Code Based Content Protection WordPress plugin, specifically within the class-zipcode-bcp-public.php file. The vulnerable code path can be found at line 335 of the public-facing class implementation. The plugin fails to implement proper input sanitization and parameterized queries when processing the zipcode parameter submitted by users.

SQL Injection vulnerabilities of this nature are particularly dangerous in WordPress environments because the WordPress database typically contains sensitive user information, including usernames, password hashes, email addresses, and potentially other plugin-specific data. Since this vulnerability can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers, no prior access or credentials are required to launch an attack against vulnerable installations.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is insufficient escaping of user-supplied input combined with the lack of proper prepared statements in the SQL query execution. The zipcode parameter is directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate sanitization, allowing attackers to manipulate the query structure by injecting malicious SQL syntax. Proper use of WordPress's $wpdb->prepare() function would prevent this type of injection by ensuring all user inputs are properly escaped and parameterized.

Attack Vector

This vulnerability is exploitable over the network without requiring any user interaction or authentication. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests containing SQL injection payloads in the zipcode parameter. Since the input is not properly sanitized before being used in database queries, the injected SQL commands are executed against the WordPress database. Common exploitation techniques include UNION-based injection to extract data from other database tables, boolean-based blind injection to infer database contents through true/false responses, and time-based blind injection using database sleep functions to confirm successful injection.

The vulnerability allows data extraction from the database, enabling attackers to retrieve sensitive information such as WordPress user accounts, email addresses, password hashes, and any other data accessible to the database user configured for the WordPress installation.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-14353

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual or malformed requests to WordPress endpoints containing SQL syntax characters in the zipcode parameter (e.g., single quotes, UNION statements, OR 1=1 patterns)
• Database error messages appearing in web server logs or responses indicating SQL syntax errors
• Unexpected database queries or slow query log entries showing injection attempts with sleep functions or UNION operations
• Evidence of data exfiltration from WordPress database tables containing user credentials or sensitive configuration

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns in HTTP request parameters
• Monitor web server access logs for requests containing common SQL injection signatures such as UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, --, and encoded variations
• Enable WordPress database query logging temporarily to identify anomalous query patterns originating from the ZIP Code plugin
• Review web application logs for error responses that may indicate failed or successful SQL injection attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure real-time alerting on WAF or SIEM systems for SQL injection attack patterns targeting WordPress installations
• Monitor for unusual database access patterns or data retrieval volumes that could indicate successful exploitation
• Track plugin update status across WordPress installations to ensure timely patching when security updates are released

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-14353

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the ZIP Code Based Content Protection plugin to the latest patched version immediately
• If immediate patching is not possible, consider temporarily deactivating the plugin until a patch can be applied
• Implement WAF rules to filter SQL injection attempts targeting the zipcode parameter
• Audit WordPress database logs for signs of prior exploitation and consider password resets if compromise is suspected

Patch Information

A security fix has been released for this vulnerability. The WordPress Plugin Changeset documents the code changes addressing this issue. WordPress site administrators should update to a version newer than 1.0.2 through the WordPress admin dashboard or via manual plugin update. Additional vulnerability details are available in the Wordfence Vulnerability Report.

Workarounds

• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection detection rules to block malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable plugin
• Temporarily disable the ZIP Code Based Content Protection plugin if it is not critical to site functionality
• Implement IP-based access controls to limit who can access plugin functionality if the feature is only needed for specific user groups
• Review and restrict database user privileges to minimize the potential impact of successful SQL injection attacks

# WordPress CLI command to update the plugin
wp plugin update zip-code-based-content-protection

# Verify current plugin version
wp plugin list --name=zip-code-based-content-protection --fields=name,version,update_version

# Temporarily deactivate the plugin if update is not immediately available
wp plugin deactivate zip-code-based-content-protection