CVE-2025-30788: EZ SQL Reports CSRF Vulnerability

CVE-2025-30788 Overview

CVE-2025-30788 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the EZ SQL Reports Shortcode Widget and DB Backup WordPress plugin (elisqlreports) that enables SQL Injection attacks. This compound vulnerability allows an attacker to trick an authenticated administrator into executing malicious SQL queries through a forged request, potentially leading to complete database compromise.

The vulnerability chains two distinct attack techniques: CSRF bypasses the WordPress nonce verification mechanism, while SQL Injection enables direct database manipulation. This combination significantly amplifies the impact, as attackers can leverage social engineering to execute arbitrary database commands without direct authentication.

Critical Impact

Attackers can chain CSRF with SQL Injection to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or potentially achieve remote code execution through database functions. WordPress sites using this plugin for database reporting are at significant risk of complete compromise.

Affected Products

• EZ SQL Reports Shortcode Widget and DB Backup plugin versions up to and including 5.25.08
• WordPress installations running the vulnerable elisqlreports plugin

Discovery Timeline

• March 27, 2025 - CVE-2025-30788 published to NVD
• April 15, 2026 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-30788

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability exploits a missing CSRF protection mechanism combined with insufficient input sanitization in the EZ SQL Reports plugin. The plugin allows administrators to execute SQL queries for reporting purposes, but fails to properly validate request origins and sanitize SQL input parameters.

The attack requires an authenticated administrator to visit a malicious page or click a crafted link while logged into their WordPress dashboard. The attacker's page submits a forged request to the vulnerable plugin endpoint, bypassing the lack of nonce verification. Because the SQL query parameters are not properly sanitized, the attacker can inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the WordPress database user.

This vulnerability falls under CWE-352 (Cross-Site Request Forgery), representing a failure to verify that requests originate from legitimate user actions within the application context.

Root Cause

The root cause stems from two security failures in the plugin's request handling:

1. Missing CSRF Token Validation: The plugin endpoints that process SQL queries do not implement WordPress nonce verification, allowing cross-origin requests to be processed as legitimate administrator actions.

2. Insufficient Input Sanitization: SQL query parameters passed to the database are not properly escaped or parameterized, enabling injection of malicious SQL statements.

The combination of these weaknesses creates a dangerous attack chain where CSRF enables unauthenticated access to SQL execution functionality.

Attack Vector

The attack follows this general pattern:

1. The attacker crafts a malicious HTML page containing a hidden form that targets the vulnerable WordPress plugin endpoint
2. The form contains SQL injection payloads in the query parameters
3. The attacker tricks an authenticated WordPress administrator into visiting the malicious page (via phishing, compromised ad network, etc.)
4. The victim's browser automatically submits the forged request with their active WordPress session cookies
5. The plugin processes the request without CSRF validation and executes the injected SQL

The vulnerability can be exploited through form submissions or XMLHttpRequest calls that leverage the victim's authenticated session. Since no code examples are available from verified sources, administrators should review the Patchstack security advisory for detailed technical information.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-30788

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual database queries in WordPress database logs, particularly those containing UNION SELECT, DROP TABLE, or INSERT INTO statements from the plugin's context
• Access logs showing POST requests to elisqlreports endpoints from external referrers
• Unexpected modifications to WordPress user tables, particularly new administrator accounts
• Database backup files appearing in unexpected locations or with unusual content

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect SQL injection patterns in requests to /wp-admin/ endpoints
• Monitor WordPress audit logs for plugin-related administrative actions occurring outside normal business hours
• Deploy SentinelOne Singularity XDR to detect suspicious database activity and potential data exfiltration attempts
• Configure intrusion detection systems to alert on cross-site request patterns targeting WordPress installations

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable WordPress database query logging to track SQL statements executed through the plugin
• Configure real-time alerting for failed or anomalous database authentication attempts
• Monitor web server access logs for requests to elisqlreports with unusual referrer headers
• Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict form submission targets

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-30788

Immediate Actions Required

• Audit your WordPress installation to determine if the EZ SQL Reports Shortcode Widget and DB Backup plugin is installed
• If the plugin is installed and running version 5.25.08 or earlier, immediately disable or remove it until a patched version is available
• Review database logs for evidence of SQL injection attempts or unauthorized data access
• Reset credentials for all WordPress administrators and database users as a precaution

Patch Information

No official patch information is currently available from the vendor. Administrators should monitor the Patchstack vulnerability database entry for updates on a security fix.

Until a patch is released, the recommended action is to deactivate and remove the vulnerable plugin from production WordPress installations.

Workarounds

• Deactivate the elisqlreports plugin immediately if it is not business-critical
• Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to block SQL injection patterns and cross-site request forgery attempts
• Restrict administrative access to WordPress dashboards by IP address using .htaccess or server-level firewall rules
• Consider using SentinelOne's WordPress protection capabilities to monitor for exploitation attempts

# Disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate elisqlreports --path=/var/www/html/wordpress

# Verify the plugin is deactivated
wp plugin list --status=inactive --path=/var/www/html/wordpress | grep elisqlreports

# Optional: Remove the plugin entirely
wp plugin delete elisqlreports --path=/var/www/html/wordpress