CVE-2025-22502 Overview
CVE-2025-22502 is a SQL injection vulnerability affecting the Mindvalley Super PageMash WordPress plugin (mindvalley-pagemash) in all versions up to and including 1.1. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command [CWE-89], allowing an authenticated attacker with high privileges to inject malicious SQL through plugin input parameters. Successful exploitation can disclose sensitive database contents and cause limited availability impact. The scope is changed, meaning the impact can extend beyond the vulnerable component to other resources within the WordPress environment.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary SQL queries against the WordPress database, exposing confidential data such as user credentials, session tokens, and site configuration.
Affected Products
- Mindvalley Super PageMash WordPress plugin (mindvalley-pagemash)
- All versions from n/a through 1.1 (inclusive)
- WordPress sites running the vulnerable plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-01-07 - CVE CVE-2025-22502 published to NVD
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-22502
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Mindvalley Super PageMash plugin, which provides page-management functionality for WordPress administrators. The plugin fails to properly sanitize or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This allows an attacker with high-privilege access, such as an administrator or editor depending on plugin configuration, to manipulate query syntax and execute arbitrary SQL statements against the backing database.
Because the attack surface is network-reachable through the WordPress admin interface, exploitation does not require user interaction. The changed scope indicates the impact crosses trust boundaries, affecting data managed by other WordPress components beyond the plugin itself.
Root Cause
The root cause is the construction of SQL queries through direct string concatenation of unvalidated input rather than the use of prepared statements or the WordPress $wpdb->prepare() API. Without parameterized queries, special SQL characters in attacker-controlled input alter query structure and are executed as code by the MySQL or MariaDB backend.
Attack Vector
An authenticated attacker submits crafted input through plugin-exposed parameters that flow into vulnerable SQL queries. The injected payload can extract arbitrary database tables, including wp_users containing password hashes and email addresses. Refer to the Patchstack SQL Injection Report for additional technical context.
// No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available.
// See the Patchstack advisory linked above for technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-22502
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected SQL syntax characters (', --, UNION, SELECT) in WordPress access logs targeting plugin endpoints under /wp-admin/ paths referencing mindvalley-pagemash.
- Anomalous outbound database query patterns originating from authenticated admin sessions.
- Unexplained access to wp_users or wp_options tables outside normal administrative workflows.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server and PHP error logs for SQL error messages tied to the mindvalley-pagemash plugin directory.
- Deploy a web application firewall with signatures for common SQL injection payloads targeting WordPress admin parameters.
- Audit database query logs for unusual UNION SELECT, INFORMATION_SCHEMA, or time-based blind injection patterns.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress activity logging to track administrator actions involving the affected plugin.
- Monitor authentication events for compromised high-privilege accounts that could be leveraged to reach the vulnerable code paths.
- Forward web server, PHP, and database telemetry to a centralized analytics platform to correlate suspicious admin activity with database anomalies.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-22502
Immediate Actions Required
- Disable or remove the Mindvalley Super PageMash plugin until a fixed version is released by the vendor.
- Rotate WordPress administrator credentials and invalidate active sessions on affected sites.
- Review database contents and recent admin actions for evidence of unauthorized data access.
Patch Information
No fixed version has been published at the time of this writing. The vulnerability affects all releases up to and including version 1.1. Monitor the Patchstack SQL Injection Report and the official WordPress plugin repository for vendor updates.
Workarounds
- Uninstall the mindvalley-pagemash plugin and replace it with an actively maintained alternative.
- Restrict access to the WordPress admin interface using IP allow-listing and enforce multi-factor authentication for all privileged accounts.
- Apply a virtual patch via a web application firewall to block SQL injection patterns directed at plugin endpoints.
# Disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate mindvalley-pagemash
wp plugin delete mindvalley-pagemash
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
