CVE-2025-22348 Overview
CVE-2025-22348 is a blind SQL injection vulnerability in the rtowebsites DynamicTags plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects all versions of DynamicTags up to and including 1.4.0. Authenticated attackers with low privileges can inject SQL statements through unsanitized input passed to database queries. The issue is categorized under [CWE-89] Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. Because the scope is changed and confidentiality impact is high, successful exploitation can expose data beyond the plugin's own context.
Critical Impact
An authenticated attacker can extract arbitrary database contents, including WordPress user credentials and session tokens, through blind SQL injection payloads.
Affected Products
- rtowebsites DynamicTags plugin for WordPress
- DynamicTags versions through 1.4.0
- WordPress sites with the DynamicTags plugin enabled
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-01-07 - CVE-2025-22348 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-22348
Vulnerability Analysis
The DynamicTags plugin fails to neutralize special SQL characters in user-controlled input before incorporating that input into database queries. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network and requires only low-privilege authentication. No user interaction is needed. The changed scope rating indicates that exploitation can impact resources beyond the vulnerable component itself, such as data managed by the broader WordPress installation.
Blind SQL injection means the application does not return query results directly in HTTP responses. Attackers instead infer database contents through boolean-based or time-based payloads. This typically extends exploitation time but does not reduce impact. Automated tooling such as sqlmap can fully automate extraction once an injection point is confirmed.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient input sanitization on parameters that reach SQL statements. The plugin likely concatenates request parameters directly into queries instead of using parameterized statements through $wpdb->prepare(). Without prepared statements, attacker-supplied metacharacters break out of the intended query context and append arbitrary SQL clauses.
Attack Vector
An attacker authenticates to the target WordPress site with any account that has access to the plugin's vulnerable endpoint. The attacker then issues crafted HTTP requests containing SQL payloads in parameters processed by DynamicTags. Conditional payloads using AND SLEEP() or CASE WHEN constructs let the attacker enumerate the database byte by byte. Targets include the wp_users table for password hashes and wp_usermeta for session tokens that enable account takeover.
Refer to the Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability advisory for additional technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-22348
Indicators of Compromise
- Repeated authenticated requests to DynamicTags endpoints containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, UNION, SELECT, SLEEP, or BENCHMARK
- Unusual database query latency aligned with time-based blind injection payloads
- New or modified WordPress administrator accounts following suspicious plugin requests
- Web server access logs showing high request volume from a single authenticated session to plugin URLs
Detection Strategies
- Inspect WordPress and web server access logs for SQL syntax in query strings or POST bodies directed at DynamicTags endpoints
- Enable MySQL general query logging temporarily to identify malformed queries originating from the plugin
- Deploy a web application firewall with SQL injection signatures applied to authenticated traffic, not just anonymous traffic
- Correlate authentication events with subsequent plugin requests to identify low-privilege accounts probing the database
Monitoring Recommendations
- Alert on response time anomalies for requests to DynamicTags handlers, which indicate time-based blind injection
- Monitor for privilege escalation events in wp_users and wp_usermeta tables
- Track outbound data volumes from the WordPress host to detect bulk database exfiltration
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-22348
Immediate Actions Required
- Disable the DynamicTags plugin until a patched version above 1.4.0 is installed
- Audit WordPress user accounts for unauthorized administrators or recently modified privileges
- Rotate WordPress secret keys in wp-config.php and force password resets for all users
- Review database logs for evidence of prior exploitation against DynamicTags endpoints
Patch Information
No fixed version is identified in the advisory at the time of publication. The vulnerability affects DynamicTags through version 1.4.0. Check the Patchstack advisory and the WordPress plugin repository for an updated release before re-enabling the plugin.
Workarounds
- Remove the DynamicTags plugin from production WordPress instances until a vendor patch is available
- Restrict access to the WordPress admin interface using IP allow-listing at the web server or WAF layer
- Apply virtual patching rules in a WAF to block SQL metacharacters in requests targeting DynamicTags URLs
- Limit account creation and require strong authentication to reduce the pool of attackers eligible to exploit the flaw
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
