CVE-2025-30979 Overview
CVE-2025-30979 is a SQL Injection vulnerability in the gopiplus Pixelating Image Slideshow Gallery plugin for WordPress. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands [CWE-89]. It affects all versions of the pixelating-image-slideshow-gallery plugin up to and including version 8.0. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can inject arbitrary SQL statements through unsanitized input fields. Successful exploitation can disclose sensitive database contents and impact application availability across a scope-changed boundary.
Critical Impact
An attacker with low-privilege access can execute arbitrary SQL queries against the WordPress database, leading to confidentiality loss and potential service disruption.
Affected Products
- gopiplus Pixelating Image Slideshow Gallery WordPress Plugin
- All versions from n/a through <= 8.0
- WordPress sites running the vulnerable pixelating-image-slideshow-gallery plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-07-04 - CVE-2025-30979 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-30979
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Pixelating Image Slideshow Gallery plugin, which fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. An authenticated user can submit crafted parameters that break out of the intended query context. The database engine then executes attacker-controlled SQL statements with the privileges of the WordPress database user.
The scope-changed nature of this issue indicates that a successful injection extends beyond the vulnerable component. Attackers can read arbitrary tables, including wp_users containing hashed credentials and session tokens. Availability impact arises from queries that lock tables, exhaust resources, or trigger destructive operations through stacked or time-based payloads.
The EPSS data places exploitation probability in a moderate range relative to other disclosed plugin flaws. WordPress plugin SQL injection issues are routinely weaponized once technical details surface on public trackers.
Root Cause
The root cause is the absence of parameterized queries or proper escaping when handling request parameters. The plugin concatenates input directly into SQL strings instead of using the $wpdb->prepare() API supplied by WordPress. This pattern is the canonical [CWE-89] failure mode and applies to any code path that builds queries from user-controlled values.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires low-privileged authentication. No user interaction is required. An attacker with a Subscriber or Contributor-level account targets a plugin endpoint that accepts an injectable parameter. The attacker submits a payload such as UNION SELECT or boolean and time-based blind injection probes. The plugin forwards the unsanitized value to the database, where the malicious SQL executes against the WordPress schema.
The vulnerability mechanism is described in the Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability advisory. No public proof-of-concept code has been verified at the time of writing.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-30979
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected SQL syntax tokens such as UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, BENCHMARK(, or -- appearing in HTTP request parameters destined for pixelating-image-slideshow-gallery endpoints.
- Database error messages referencing wp_ tables surfaced in HTTP responses or PHP error logs.
- Sudden spikes in query execution time or anomalous SELECT patterns originating from the WordPress database user.
- New or modified rows in wp_users or wp_options shortly after requests to the vulnerable plugin.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for requests to plugin paths containing URL-encoded SQL meta-characters (%27, %22, %3B, %2D%2D).
- Deploy a web application firewall rule set tuned for SQL injection signatures targeting WordPress plugin parameters.
- Enable MySQL general query log or slow query log temporarily and review queries originating from PHP requests touching the vulnerable plugin.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Alert on authenticated low-privilege accounts generating database errors or accessing administrative content shortly after login.
- Monitor outbound data volumes from the WordPress host for indicators of bulk database exfiltration.
- Track plugin file integrity and database schema changes using a host-based integrity monitor.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-30979
Immediate Actions Required
- Disable or remove the Pixelating Image Slideshow Gallery plugin until a patched release is confirmed available from the vendor.
- Audit WordPress user accounts and revoke unnecessary Contributor or Subscriber-level access from untrusted users.
- Rotate WordPress administrator passwords, API keys, and secrets stored in wp_options if exploitation is suspected.
- Review database logs for unauthorized SELECT, UNION, or INFORMATION_SCHEMA queries during the exposure window.
Patch Information
No vendor patch version is identified in the current advisory. Versions through 8.0 remain vulnerable. Administrators should consult the Patchstack advisory for Pixelating Image Slideshow Gallery for updates on a fixed release.
Workarounds
- Deactivate the pixelating-image-slideshow-gallery plugin from the WordPress administration console as the most reliable mitigation.
- Restrict registration so only trusted users can obtain authenticated sessions, reducing the pool of potential attackers.
- Place virtual patching rules at the WAF layer to block SQL meta-characters in requests to the plugin's endpoints.
- Apply database-level least privilege by limiting the WordPress DB user to required operations only.
# WordPress CLI - disable the vulnerable plugin pending a vendor fix
wp plugin deactivate pixelating-image-slideshow-gallery
wp plugin delete pixelating-image-slideshow-gallery
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
