CVE-2025-30969: iFrame Images Gallery SQL Injection Flaw

CVE-2025-30969 Overview

CVE-2025-30969 is a SQL Injection vulnerability in the gopiplus iFrame Images Gallery plugin for WordPress (wp-iframe-images-gallery). The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command [CWE-89]. All plugin versions up to and including 9.0 are affected. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can inject arbitrary SQL statements through unsanitized input parameters processed by the plugin. Because the vulnerability has a changed scope, the impact extends beyond the vulnerable component and reaches the underlying WordPress database. Successful exploitation exposes confidential data stored in the database and can degrade availability of the WordPress site.

Critical Impact
An authenticated attacker can extract sensitive database contents — including user credentials, session tokens, and site configuration — by injecting malicious SQL through the iFrame Images Gallery plugin.

Affected Products

WordPress plugin: gopiplus iFrame Images Gallery (wp-iframe-images-gallery)
Affected versions: all releases from initial version through 9.0
WordPress sites running the plugin with any low-privileged authenticated role

Discovery Timeline

2025-07-04 - CVE-2025-30969 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-30969

Vulnerability Analysis

The iFrame Images Gallery plugin fails to properly sanitize user-controlled input before concatenating it into SQL queries executed against the WordPress database. This classic SQL Injection pattern [CWE-89] allows an attacker to break out of the intended query context and append arbitrary SQL clauses. The attack requires network access and low-privileged authentication, but no user interaction. Because the vulnerability affects a WordPress plugin operating within the shared wpdb database context, exploitation crosses the plugin's security boundary and impacts the broader WordPress installation.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient input validation and the absence of parameterized queries. The plugin appears to build SQL statements using string concatenation with request-supplied values instead of relying on prepared statements through the $wpdb->prepare() API. Any request parameter reaching a database call without escaping becomes a viable injection point.

Attack Vector

An authenticated attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to a plugin endpoint that processes user input in a SQL query. The attacker embeds SQL syntax — such as UNION SELECT, boolean-based conditions, or time-based payloads — into the vulnerable parameter. The database executes the malicious payload alongside the intended query, returning data or altering response timing in ways that leak information. No exploit code has been published publicly for this issue. Refer to the Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability advisory for the technical description.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-30969

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to wp-iframe-images-gallery endpoints containing SQL keywords such as UNION, SELECT, SLEEP(, BENCHMARK(, or encoded variants in query parameters or POST bodies.
Unusual outbound queries against wp_users, wp_usermeta, or wp_options tables originating from the plugin's PHP handlers.
Elevated response times on plugin URLs, consistent with time-based blind SQL injection probing.
Web server access logs showing repeated authenticated requests to the same plugin endpoint from a single low-privileged account.

Detection Strategies

Enable WordPress database query logging and inspect statements originating from plugin files for concatenated user input.
Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) rule set that flags SQL injection patterns against /wp-admin/admin.php?page=wp-iframe-images-gallery* and related plugin routes.
Correlate authentication events with plugin request patterns to identify low-privileged accounts issuing database-heavy queries.

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on any request to plugin endpoints containing SQL meta-characters such as ', --, ;, or /*.
Monitor wp_users table read volume and flag deviations from baseline access patterns.
Track EPSS movement and Patchstack advisory updates for this plugin to catch newly weaponized payloads.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-30969

Immediate Actions Required

Deactivate the iFrame Images Gallery plugin (wp-iframe-images-gallery) until a fixed release is confirmed installed.
Audit WordPress user accounts and rotate credentials for any account that could have interacted with the vulnerable endpoint.
Review database logs for signs of prior injection attempts against plugin URLs.
Restrict access to /wp-admin/ to trusted IP ranges to reduce the pool of potential authenticated attackers.

Patch Information

At the time of the latest NVD update, the advisory covers versions up to and including 9.0 with no confirmed fixed release listed in the referenced data. Consult the Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability advisory for the latest patch status and vendor guidance. If a patched version becomes available, upgrade immediately and verify the plugin version through the WordPress admin dashboard.

Workarounds

Remove or disable the plugin if a patched version is not yet available.
Apply WAF virtual patching rules that block SQL injection payloads targeting the plugin's request parameters.
Restrict plugin usage to administrator accounts only and remove low-privileged roles' access to plugin functionality where feasible.
Enforce least-privilege database credentials so the WordPress database user cannot read tables outside the WordPress schema.

bash

# Configuration example: disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate wp-iframe-images-gallery
wp plugin delete wp-iframe-images-gallery