CVE-2025-22553: Multiple Carousel SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2025-22553 Overview

CVE-2025-22553 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the Multiple Carousel plugin for WordPress. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL queries through the plugin. This issue affects all versions of the Multiple Carousel plugin from initial release through version 2.0.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this SQL Injection vulnerability to extract sensitive data from the WordPress database, including user credentials, configuration data, and potentially gain unauthorized access to the entire WordPress installation.

Affected Products

• Multiple Carousel WordPress Plugin versions through 2.0
• WordPress installations using the Multiple Carousel plugin

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-01-21 - CVE-2025-22553 published to NVD
• 2025-01-21 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-22553

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) exists due to insufficient input validation and sanitization within the Multiple Carousel plugin. The plugin fails to properly neutralize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate database operations. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for WordPress sites using this plugin.

The attack vector is network-based with low complexity requirements, meaning no special conditions or sophisticated techniques are needed to exploit it. The vulnerability has a changed scope, indicating that successful exploitation could impact resources beyond the vulnerable component itself. While the primary impact is to confidentiality (allowing unauthorized data extraction), there is also potential for limited availability impact on the affected system.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-22553 is the failure to implement proper input sanitization and parameterized queries within the Multiple Carousel plugin. User-controllable input is directly concatenated into SQL statements without adequate escaping or validation, allowing attackers to break out of the intended SQL context and inject arbitrary SQL commands. This represents a fundamental secure coding failure that violates the principle of treating all user input as untrusted.

Attack Vector

The attack leverages network-accessible endpoints exposed by the Multiple Carousel plugin. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests containing SQL injection payloads targeting vulnerable parameters. Because no authentication is required, any remote attacker with network access to the WordPress site can attempt exploitation.

The vulnerability allows attackers to:

• Extract sensitive database contents including user tables
• Enumerate database structure and table names
• Potentially modify or delete database records
• Bypass authentication mechanisms by manipulating query logic

For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, see the Patchstack security advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-22553

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual database query patterns in WordPress logs, particularly queries containing UNION SELECT statements or time-based SQL functions
• Unexpected errors in web server logs related to SQL syntax from Multiple Carousel plugin endpoints
• Increased database load or unusual query execution times indicating blind SQL injection attempts
• Evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized database access in audit logs

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block common SQL injection patterns in requests to WordPress
• Enable WordPress database query logging and monitor for suspicious query patterns originating from the Multiple Carousel plugin
• Implement intrusion detection system (IDS) signatures for SQL injection attack payloads
• Use automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify the presence of vulnerable plugin versions

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor HTTP request logs for common SQL injection indicators such as single quotes, UNION statements, OR 1=1 patterns, and SQL comment sequences
• Set up alerts for database errors that may indicate failed SQL injection attempts
• Track plugin version inventory across all WordPress installations to identify vulnerable deployments
• Review database access logs for unusual query patterns or unauthorized data access

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-22553

Immediate Actions Required

• Immediately audit all WordPress installations to identify deployments of the Multiple Carousel plugin
• If the plugin is installed, consider deactivating and removing it until a patched version is available
• Implement WAF rules to filter SQL injection attempts targeting WordPress installations
• Review database access logs for any signs of prior exploitation

Patch Information

At the time of publication, the vulnerability affects Multiple Carousel versions through 2.0. WordPress site administrators should check the official WordPress plugin repository and the Patchstack advisory for information about security updates. If no patch is available, removing the vulnerable plugin is strongly recommended.

Workarounds

• Deactivate and delete the Multiple Carousel plugin from WordPress installations until a security patch is released
• Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection detection rules as a temporary protective measure
• Restrict access to WordPress admin areas and plugin endpoints through IP-based access controls
• Enable WordPress security plugins that provide real-time SQL injection protection

# WordPress CLI commands to identify and remove vulnerable plugin
# Check if Multiple Carousel plugin is installed
wp plugin list --status=active | grep multicarousel

# Deactivate the vulnerable plugin
wp plugin deactivate multicarousel

# Remove the vulnerable plugin (recommended if no patch available)
wp plugin delete multicarousel