CVE-2025-30562: Navigation Tree Elementor SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2025-30562 Overview

CVE-2025-30562 is a blind SQL injection vulnerability in the wpdistillery Navigation Tree Elementor plugin for WordPress. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands [CWE-89]. Attackers with low-privilege authenticated access can inject malicious SQL through the plugin's input handling. The vulnerability affects all versions of Navigation Tree Elementor up to and including 1.0.1. Successful exploitation allows extraction of sensitive database contents and limited impact to availability. The scope is changed, meaning the impact extends beyond the vulnerable component to other resources within the WordPress environment.

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can execute blind SQL injection queries against the WordPress database, exposing confidential data including user credentials and configuration secrets.

Affected Products

wpdistillery Navigation Tree Elementor plugin versions through 1.0.1
WordPress installations using the Navigation Tree Elementor plugin
Sites with Elementor page builder integrated with the affected plugin

Discovery Timeline

2025-06-17 - CVE-2025-30562 published to NVD
2026-04-29 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-30562

Vulnerability Analysis

The Navigation Tree Elementor plugin fails to sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This classification falls under [CWE-89], Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. The vulnerability is blind, meaning the database response is not directly returned to the attacker. Attackers infer data through boolean conditions or time-based delays. The attack requires low-level authenticated privileges, such as a Contributor or Subscriber role. No user interaction is required to complete exploitation.

Root Cause

The root cause is the absence of proper input sanitization and parameterized queries within the plugin's database interaction logic. User-supplied parameters are concatenated directly into SQL statements without using WordPress's prepared statement helpers such as $wpdb->prepare(). This pattern allows special SQL characters to break out of the intended query context and inject additional clauses.

Attack Vector

An authenticated attacker sends crafted HTTP requests to plugin endpoints that process navigation tree parameters. The attacker manipulates input fields with SQL meta-characters and conditional payloads. Because the injection is blind, attackers typically use boolean-based or time-based techniques. The vulnerability has a changed scope, allowing data extraction from tables beyond the plugin's own data, including the core wp_users and wp_options tables.

For technical details on the injection pattern, refer to the Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-30562

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests containing SQL meta-characters such as ', --, UNION, SLEEP(, or BENCHMARK( targeting Navigation Tree Elementor endpoints
Unusual response time patterns indicative of time-based blind SQL injection probing
Authenticated requests from low-privilege accounts accessing plugin AJAX or REST endpoints repeatedly
Web server logs showing repeated parameter manipulation against the plugin's request handlers

Detection Strategies

Inspect WordPress access logs for query strings containing SQL keywords directed at the navigation-tree-elementor plugin paths
Enable WordPress database query logging and look for anomalous queries originating from the plugin
Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules tuned for SQL injection patterns targeting WordPress plugins
Monitor for sudden spikes in authenticated low-privilege user activity against plugin endpoints

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on authenticated requests producing database errors or extended response latency on plugin URLs
Track creation of new administrator accounts or modifications to wp_users and wp_usermeta tables
Forward WordPress, web server, and WAF logs to a centralized analytics platform for correlation
Establish baseline behavior for plugin endpoints and flag deviations in request volume or payload size

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-30562

Immediate Actions Required

Disable or remove the Navigation Tree Elementor plugin until a patched release is verified
Audit WordPress user accounts and revoke access for unused or untrusted low-privilege users
Rotate WordPress secrets, administrator passwords, and database credentials if exploitation is suspected
Review database integrity for unauthorized rows in wp_users, wp_options, and wp_usermeta

Patch Information

As published, no fixed version is identified beyond 1.0.1. Monitor the Patchstack advisory for vendor remediation. Apply the official update from wpdistillery once available and verify the plugin version after installation.

Workarounds

Restrict plugin endpoint access using WordPress role and capability filters
Deploy WAF rules blocking SQL injection signatures on requests to plugin paths
Limit authenticated registration and tighten the default role for new users to reduce attacker access
Implement database user privilege separation so the WordPress account cannot read sensitive tables it does not require

bash

# Example WAF rule snippet for ModSecurity blocking common SQLi tokens on plugin paths
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains /wp-content/plugins/navigation-tree-elementor/" \
    "chain,phase:2,deny,status:403,id:1009001,msg:'Block SQLi against Navigation Tree Elementor'"
SecRule ARGS "@rx (?i)(union(\s|/\*).*select|sleep\s*\(|benchmark\s*\(|--|;)" "t:none"