CVE-2025-30569 Overview
CVE-2025-30569 is a SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the Jahertor WP Featured Entries WordPress plugin (wp-featured-entries). The flaw exists in all versions up to and including 1.0. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can send crafted input that is concatenated into a SQL query without proper neutralization of special characters. The issue is categorized under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command). Successful exploitation enables disclosure of confidential database contents across a scope-changed boundary and can degrade database availability.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can inject arbitrary SQL statements through the WP Featured Entries plugin, leading to confidentiality compromise of the underlying WordPress database.
Affected Products
- Jahertor WP Featured Entries plugin for WordPress
- All versions from initial release through 1.0
- WordPress sites running the wp-featured-entries plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-03-24 - CVE-2025-30569 published to NVD
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-30569
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the WP Featured Entries WordPress plugin, which fails to properly sanitize user-controlled input before incorporating it into SQL queries. The flaw maps to CWE-89, Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. An attacker with low-privilege authenticated access to the WordPress site can submit crafted parameters that break out of the intended SQL query context. Because the vulnerability affects a scope-changed boundary, exploitation can reach data and resources beyond the vulnerable plugin component. The result is direct read access to arbitrary database tables, including the WordPress wp_users table containing credential hashes.
Root Cause
The root cause is the absence of prepared statements or proper input sanitization within the plugin's database query construction. User-supplied values flow directly into SQL string concatenation, allowing special characters such as quotes, semicolons, and comment markers to alter query structure. WordPress provides the $wpdb->prepare() API specifically to prevent this class of flaw, and the plugin did not apply it consistently.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network through standard HTTP requests against the vulnerable WordPress endpoint exposed by the plugin. The attacker must hold an authenticated session with at least low-level privileges, such as a Subscriber or Contributor role. The attacker submits manipulated parameters containing SQL syntax, which the plugin appends to backend queries without escaping. See the Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability advisory for additional technical context.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is currently available for this CVE.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-30569
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to WP Featured Entries plugin endpoints containing SQL meta-characters such as ', --, UNION SELECT, or OR 1=1
- Unexpected database errors in WordPress debug.log referencing the wp-featured-entries plugin
- Anomalous queries against wp_users, wp_usermeta, or wp_options originating from plugin code paths
- Outbound data flows from the web server immediately following authenticated requests to plugin URLs
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for query strings or POST bodies targeting /wp-content/plugins/wp-featured-entries/ containing SQL syntax
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with signatures for common SQL injection payload patterns
- Enable WordPress query logging and review for malformed or unusually long SQL statements
- Correlate authenticated user activity with database query volume spikes to identify abuse of low-privilege accounts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward WordPress and web server logs to a centralized SIEM for retention and correlation
- Alert on repeated 500 or database error responses tied to plugin URLs
- Monitor for new administrator accounts, unexpected password resets, and changes to wp_options autoload values
- Track plugin file integrity to identify post-exploitation webshell deployment
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-30569
Immediate Actions Required
- Disable and remove the WP Featured Entries plugin until a patched version is released by the vendor
- Audit existing low-privilege WordPress user accounts and remove any that are unused or untrusted
- Rotate all WordPress administrator passwords and invalidate active sessions
- Review database query logs for evidence of prior exploitation against the plugin
Patch Information
At the time of publication, no fixed version of the Jahertor WP Featured Entries plugin has been identified beyond the vulnerable 1.0 release. Site operators should monitor the Patchstack advisory and the WordPress plugin directory for an updated release. Until a patch is available, removal of the plugin is the recommended remediation.
Workarounds
- Deactivate and uninstall wp-featured-entries from all WordPress installations
- Apply Patchstack virtual patching or equivalent WAF rules that block SQL injection patterns targeting the plugin endpoints
- Restrict the WordPress database user to least-privilege grants, removing FILE, CREATE, and DROP where not required
- Enforce strong authentication, including multi-factor authentication, on all low-privilege accounts to limit attacker access
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
