CVE-2025-30971 Overview
CVE-2025-30971 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the XV Random Quotes WordPress plugin developed by Xavi Ivars. This vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, allowing unauthenticated attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input.
The vulnerability affects XV Random Quotes plugin versions through 1.40, potentially exposing WordPress sites using this plugin to database compromise and sensitive data exfiltration.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this SQL Injection vulnerability to extract sensitive data from WordPress databases, potentially compromising user credentials, site configurations, and other confidential information stored within the database.
Affected Products
- XV Random Quotes WordPress plugin versions through 1.40
- WordPress installations using the vulnerable plugin versions
Discovery Timeline
- April 1, 2025 - CVE-2025-30971 published to NVD
- April 1, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-30971
Vulnerability Analysis
This SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) exists due to improper sanitization of user-supplied input before it is incorporated into SQL queries within the XV Random Quotes plugin. The vulnerability is network-accessible and requires no authentication or user interaction to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for publicly-accessible WordPress installations.
The scope is changed, meaning a successful exploit can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component itself, potentially allowing attackers to access data from other WordPress tables or database schemas. The primary impact is to data confidentiality, with a secondary impact on system availability.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability is the failure to properly validate, sanitize, or parameterize user input before constructing SQL queries. The XV Random Quotes plugin processes external input directly within database queries without adequate protection against SQL injection attacks. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax that modifies the intended query logic.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-based and can be executed remotely without any authentication credentials. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests containing SQL injection payloads targeting vulnerable parameters in the plugin. The low attack complexity combined with no required privileges makes this vulnerability highly exploitable.
SQL Injection attacks against this plugin could employ various techniques including:
- Union-based injection: Combining results from malicious queries with legitimate results
- Boolean-based blind injection: Inferring data through true/false responses
- Time-based blind injection: Extracting data through deliberate database delays
- Error-based injection: Leveraging database error messages to extract information
For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-30971
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual database query patterns in WordPress database logs
- Web server access logs containing SQL injection payloads targeting XV Random Quotes plugin endpoints
- Unexpected database errors in WordPress error logs
- Evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized database access
Detection Strategies
- Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns
- Monitor WordPress access logs for requests containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, double dashes, or UNION keywords
- Deploy database activity monitoring to detect anomalous query patterns
- Use security plugins that provide real-time threat detection for WordPress
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging on the WordPress database to capture query activity
- Configure alerting for failed database queries that may indicate injection attempts
- Implement file integrity monitoring for WordPress plugin directories
- Regularly audit WordPress user accounts for unauthorized additions or privilege changes
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-30971
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress installations using XV Random Quotes plugin version 1.40 or earlier
- Consider temporarily deactivating and removing the XV Random Quotes plugin until a patched version is available
- Implement WAF rules to block SQL injection attempts targeting the plugin
- Review database logs for any evidence of prior exploitation
Patch Information
As of the publication date, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the latest patch information and remediation guidance. Check the WordPress plugin repository for any updated versions of XV Random Quotes that address this vulnerability.
Workarounds
- Deactivate the XV Random Quotes plugin until a security patch is released
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall with SQL injection protection rules
- Restrict database user privileges to minimum required operations
- Consider using alternative quote display plugins that have been recently audited for security issues
# WordPress CLI command to deactivate the vulnerable plugin
wp plugin deactivate xv-random-quotes
# Verify plugin status
wp plugin list --name=xv-random-quotes --fields=name,status,version
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
