CVE-2025-30921 Overview
CVE-2025-30921 is a SQL injection vulnerability in the Tribulant Software Newsletters plugin (newsletters-lite) for WordPress. The flaw affects all plugin versions up to and including 4.9.9.7. Attackers with high-privilege authenticated access can inject SQL statements through improperly neutralized special elements in SQL commands [CWE-89]. The vulnerability has a scope change impact, allowing attackers to affect resources beyond the vulnerable component. Successful exploitation can expose newsletter subscriber data, WordPress configuration, and other sensitive database contents.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary SQL queries against the WordPress database, leading to confidentiality loss and partial availability impact across the database.
Affected Products
- Tribulant Software Newsletters plugin (newsletters-lite)
- All versions from initial release through 4.9.9.7
- WordPress installations running the vulnerable plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-03-27 - CVE-2025-30921 published to NVD
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-30921
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands within the Tribulant Newsletters plugin. User-supplied input reaches database query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization. An authenticated attacker with elevated privileges can craft input containing SQL metacharacters that alter query semantics. The scope-changed impact indicates that exploitation extends beyond the plugin to affect the broader WordPress database environment.
Root Cause
The root cause is classified under [CWE-89] - Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. The plugin concatenates attacker-controlled input directly into SQL statements rather than using parameterized queries or the WordPress $wpdb->prepare() API. This pattern allows special characters such as single quotes, semicolons, and SQL keywords to break out of the intended query context. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the WordPress site and authenticated high-privilege credentials. The attacker submits crafted parameters to a vulnerable plugin endpoint where input flows into a SQL query. No user interaction is required. The injected SQL executes with the privileges of the WordPress database user, allowing data extraction through UNION-based, error-based, or time-based blind injection techniques. The vulnerability mechanism is described in the referenced advisory; no public proof-of-concept code has been released.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-30921
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected SQL syntax such as UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, or OR 1=1 in web server access logs targeting newsletter plugin endpoints
- Anomalous database query patterns originating from the WordPress application user
- Authenticated administrator sessions issuing unusual POST or GET requests to newsletters-lite paths
Detection Strategies
- Inspect WordPress access logs for requests to Newsletters plugin endpoints containing SQL metacharacters or encoded payloads
- Enable MySQL or MariaDB general query logging temporarily to identify malformed or unexpected queries originating from plugin code paths
- Deploy a web application firewall rule set that flags SQL injection signatures targeting /wp-admin/admin.php?page=newsletters* and related routes
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor for high-privilege account activity that deviates from established administrative baselines
- Alert on database errors logged by WordPress when authenticated users access Newsletters plugin functionality
- Track outbound data volumes from the database tier to identify potential bulk data exfiltration following injection attempts
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-30921
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress sites running the Tribulant Newsletters plugin and confirm version status against 4.9.9.7
- Update the newsletters-lite plugin to a version released after 4.9.9.7 once available from the vendor
- Audit WordPress administrator accounts and rotate credentials for accounts that may have been compromised
- Review database contents and access logs for signs of unauthorized queries or data extraction
Patch Information
The vulnerability affects Newsletters plugin versions up to and including 4.9.9.7. Administrators should consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report and the Tribulant Software vendor channels for patched release information.
Workarounds
- Deactivate and remove the Newsletters plugin until a patched version is installed
- Restrict administrative access to the WordPress backend using IP allowlisting at the web server or reverse proxy layer
- Enforce multi-factor authentication for all high-privilege WordPress accounts to reduce risk of credential abuse
- Deploy WAF rules that block common SQL injection payloads targeting the plugin's request parameters
# Example: temporarily disable the plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate newsletters-lite
wp plugin delete newsletters-lite
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
