CVE-2025-28982: ThimPress WP Pipes SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2025-28982 Overview

CVE-2025-28982 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the ThimPress WP Pipes plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, allowing unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious SQL queries through vulnerable input parameters. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate database queries, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and complete compromise of the WordPress installation.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerability enables attackers to read, modify, or delete sensitive database contents without any authentication, potentially compromising the entire WordPress site and all stored user data.

Affected Products

• ThimPress WP Pipes versions through 1.4.3
• WordPress installations running the vulnerable WP Pipes plugin

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-07-16 - CVE-2025-28982 published to NVD
• 2025-11-26 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-28982

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) in the WP Pipes plugin stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data before it is incorporated into SQL queries. The plugin fails to properly escape or parameterize user input, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that are executed by the database backend.

The attack can be executed remotely over the network without requiring any authentication or user interaction. Upon successful exploitation, an attacker can achieve full read and write access to the WordPress database, enabling extraction of sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and confidential content. Additionally, attackers may modify or delete database records, inject malicious content, or potentially escalate their access to gain complete control of the underlying server.

Root Cause

The vulnerability originates from improper neutralization of special characters in SQL commands within the WP Pipes plugin. User-controlled input is directly concatenated into SQL queries without proper sanitization, prepared statements, or parameterized queries. This fundamental security flaw allows SQL metacharacters to break out of the intended query context and execute attacker-controlled SQL commands.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring no privileges or user interaction. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests containing SQL injection payloads targeting vulnerable plugin endpoints. The vulnerability allows for various SQL injection techniques including:

• Union-based injection for extracting data from other database tables
• Boolean-based blind injection for inferring database contents through true/false responses
• Time-based blind injection for extracting data through response timing delays
• Error-based injection for leveraging database error messages to extract information

For detailed technical analysis and exploitation methods, refer to the Patchstack WP Pipes SQL Injection Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-28982

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual database queries or errors in WordPress debug logs containing SQL syntax errors
• Unexpected modifications to database records, especially user accounts or content
• Web server access logs showing requests with SQL injection patterns (e.g., UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, ' OR ', encoded variations)
• Presence of unfamiliar administrative accounts or privilege escalations
• Database query logs showing abnormal query patterns or unauthorized data access

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block common SQL injection patterns
• Monitor WordPress database for unauthorized queries and suspicious activities targeting WP Pipes tables
• Enable and review WordPress debug logging for database errors and anomalies
• Deploy endpoint detection solutions to identify exploitation attempts and post-compromise activity
• Configure SIEM alerts for HTTP requests containing SQL injection payloads

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed database query logging to track all SQL queries executed through the application
• Set up real-time alerting for database errors and failed query attempts
• Monitor file integrity of WordPress core files, plugin files, and configuration to detect tampering
• Implement continuous vulnerability scanning to detect unpatched plugin installations
• Review web server access logs regularly for reconnaissance and attack patterns

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-28982

Immediate Actions Required

• Update WP Pipes plugin to a patched version immediately if available
• If no patch is available, consider temporarily deactivating and removing the WP Pipes plugin until a fix is released
• Implement WAF rules to filter SQL injection attempts targeting your WordPress installation
• Review database for signs of compromise, including unauthorized users or modified content
• Reset database credentials and WordPress admin passwords if compromise is suspected

Patch Information

Check for updates to the WP Pipes plugin through the WordPress plugin repository or ThimPress official channels. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability due to its critical severity and the potential for unauthenticated remote exploitation. Refer to the Patchstack WP Pipes SQL Injection Advisory for the latest patch status and remediation guidance.

Workarounds

• Disable the WP Pipes plugin entirely until a security patch is available
• Implement a Web Application Firewall with SQL injection protection rules in front of your WordPress installation
• Restrict access to WordPress admin and plugin endpoints using IP whitelisting or authentication requirements
• Enable WordPress security plugins that provide virtual patching or SQL injection protection
• Apply database user principle of least privilege to limit potential damage from SQL injection attacks

# Example: Restrict plugin access via .htaccess until patched
# Add to /wp-content/plugins/wp-pipes/.htaccess

<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
    RewriteEngine On
    RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} ^/wp-content/plugins/wp-pipes/ [NC]
    RewriteRule ^(.*)$ - [F,L]
</IfModule>

# Alternative: Disable plugin via wp-cli
wp plugin deactivate wp-pipes --path=/var/www/html/wordpress