CVE-2025-22537 Overview
CVE-2025-22537 is a SQL injection vulnerability in the Google Maps Travel Route WordPress plugin developed by traveller11. The flaw affects all plugin versions up to and including 1.3.1. Authenticated attackers with low privileges can inject malicious SQL statements through unsanitized input parameters processed by the plugin. The issue is classified under CWE-89, Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. Successful exploitation can disclose database contents and impact application availability across the WordPress site.
Critical Impact
Network-accessible SQL injection enabling confidentiality compromise and partial availability impact across affected WordPress installations running the plugin.
Affected Products
- traveller11 Google Maps Travel Route plugin for WordPress
- All versions from initial release through 1.3.1
- WordPress sites with the plugin enabled and reachable from the network
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-01-09 - CVE-2025-22537 published to NVD
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-22537
Vulnerability Analysis
The plugin fails to neutralize special characters in user-controlled input before incorporating that input into SQL queries. An authenticated attacker submits crafted parameters that break out of the intended query context. The injected payload executes against the WordPress database with the privileges of the database user configured in wp-config.php. The scope is changed because exploitation can affect data and resources beyond the plugin itself, including other tables in the WordPress schema.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient parameterization of SQL statements within the plugin code. The plugin concatenates request parameters directly into queries rather than using $wpdb->prepare() with placeholders. Input validation routines do not reject or escape SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, comment markers, and UNION keywords. This pattern is a textbook instance of CWE-89.
Attack Vector
The attack is delivered over the network through standard HTTP or HTTPS requests to the WordPress site. The attacker requires a low-privileged authenticated account, such as a Subscriber, to reach the vulnerable code path. No user interaction beyond the attacker's own session is required. The vulnerability manifests when crafted query string or POST body parameters reach the plugin's database layer without sanitization. See the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory for additional context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-22537
Indicators of Compromise
- Web server access logs containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, UNION SELECT, or SLEEP( in requests to plugin endpoints under /wp-content/plugins/google-maps-travel-route/
- Unexpected wp_users or wp_options table reads originating from authenticated low-privileged sessions
- Database error messages returned in HTTP responses referencing MySQL syntax
- Anomalous request volume to plugin AJAX or REST endpoints from a single authenticated account
Detection Strategies
- Deploy a web application firewall ruleset that flags SQL injection signatures in requests targeting the affected plugin paths
- Enable MySQL general query logging temporarily and review for queries containing unparameterized concatenations from the plugin
- Correlate WordPress authentication events with database error spikes to identify reconnaissance attempts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor outbound database query patterns for UNION-based and time-based blind injection signatures
- Alert on HTTP 500 responses from plugin endpoints that coincide with authenticated low-privilege sessions
- Track new or modified WordPress administrator accounts following any suspected exploitation attempt
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-22537
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate the Google Maps Travel Route plugin until a patched version is confirmed available and installed
- Restrict user registration on affected WordPress sites to reduce the pool of accounts that satisfy the low-privilege precondition
- Rotate database credentials and WordPress administrator passwords if exploitation is suspected
- Review the wp_users table for unauthorized account additions or role changes
Patch Information
No fixed version is identified in the advisory beyond 1.3.1. Administrators should monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory and the plugin's WordPress.org page for an updated release. Apply the vendor patch as soon as it is published.
Workarounds
- Remove the plugin from production WordPress installations until a fixed release is verified
- Place a web application firewall in front of the WordPress site with rules tuned to block SQL injection payloads on plugin endpoints
- Enforce least privilege on the WordPress database user by removing rights such as FILE, CREATE, and DROP where the application does not require them
- Disable open user registration in Settings > General to limit availability of the authenticated foothold required for exploitation
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
