CVE-2025-22693 Overview
CVE-2025-22693 is a SQL Injection vulnerability [CWE-89] in the Contest Gallery WordPress plugin developed by Wasiliy Strecker. The flaw affects all versions of contest-gallery up to and including 25.1.0. Authenticated attackers with high privileges can inject malicious SQL statements through unsanitized input passed to database queries. Successful exploitation compromises database confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without user interaction.
Critical Impact
Attackers can read, modify, or delete WordPress database contents, including user credentials, contest data, and administrative records.
Affected Products
- Contest Gallery WordPress plugin versions through 25.1.0
- WordPress sites using the contest-gallery plugin by Wasiliy Strecker / ContestGallery
- All WordPress deployments with vulnerable plugin instances active
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-02-03 - CVE-2025-22693 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-22693
Vulnerability Analysis
The Contest Gallery plugin fails to properly neutralize special elements used in SQL commands. User-supplied input reaches database queries without parameterization or adequate escaping. Attackers craft input containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, comments, and UNION operators to alter query semantics.
Exploitation requires high privileges, meaning the attacker must hold an authenticated WordPress account with elevated capabilities. Once authenticated, the attacker sends crafted HTTP requests to plugin endpoints that interact with the database. The injected SQL executes within the database session under the WordPress application's privileges.
The Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) currently rates this vulnerability at 0.519% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper input neutralization before SQL query construction [CWE-89]. The plugin concatenates request parameters directly into SQL statements rather than using prepared statements or the WordPress $wpdb->prepare() API. Any input that influences query structure becomes a vehicle for injection.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based. An authenticated attacker submits crafted parameters to vulnerable Contest Gallery endpoints through standard HTTP requests. The malicious payload manipulates database queries to extract data, modify records, or perform blind injection through time-based or boolean-based techniques. No user interaction is required beyond the attacker's own authenticated session.
No public proof-of-concept exploit code has been published. Technical details are documented in the Patchstack SQL Injection Advisory.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-22693
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to Contest Gallery plugin endpoints containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, or BENCHMARK(
- Unexpected database errors logged by WordPress or MySQL during plugin operation
- Anomalous wp_users or wp_options table reads originating from plugin handlers
- New or modified administrator accounts created without legitimate workflow
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for query string parameters targeting Contest Gallery routes with encoded SQL syntax
- Enable WordPress debug logging and review wp-content/debug.log for wpdb query errors referencing plugin files
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule set that flags SQL injection signatures against plugin endpoints
- Correlate authenticated session activity with database query volume spikes from administrative accounts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Continuously monitor file integrity of wp-content/plugins/contest-gallery/ to identify unauthorized modification
- Alert on database queries originating from the WordPress application containing INFORMATION_SCHEMA references
- Track privileged WordPress account logins and review session activity for irregular request patterns
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-22693
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Contest Gallery plugin to a version above 25.1.0 once the vendor publishes a patched release
- Audit existing WordPress administrator and editor accounts and remove unused or unnecessary privileged users
- Rotate WordPress administrator passwords and database credentials if compromise is suspected
- Review the WordPress database for unauthorized changes to wp_users, wp_usermeta, and wp_options
Patch Information
Review the Patchstack SQL Injection Advisory for the latest fixed version guidance. Apply vendor updates through the WordPress plugin manager as soon as they become available.
Workarounds
- Deactivate and remove the Contest Gallery plugin until a patched release is installed
- Restrict access to WordPress administrative endpoints using IP allowlisting at the web server or WAF
- Enforce least privilege by limiting the number of accounts with high-privilege WordPress roles
- Deploy a WAF with SQL injection signatures tuned to WordPress plugin request patterns
# Configuration example: disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate contest-gallery
wp plugin delete contest-gallery
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
