CVE-2025-31024 Overview
CVE-2025-31024 is a SQL Injection vulnerability in the RJ Quickcharts WordPress plugin developed by randyjensen. The flaw affects all versions of rj-quickcharts up to and including 0.6.1. Authenticated attackers with low-level privileges can inject malicious SQL statements through unsanitized input passed to database queries. The issue is classified under CWE-89, Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. Successful exploitation can disclose sensitive database contents and impact availability of the WordPress instance.
Critical Impact
Authenticated SQL injection enables extraction of WordPress database contents, including user credentials and session data, with a scope change that can affect other components beyond the plugin.
Affected Products
- RJ Quickcharts WordPress plugin versions through 0.6.1
- WordPress installations with rj-quickcharts active
- Sites exposing plugin functionality to authenticated users
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-04-01 - CVE-2025-31024 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-31024
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input passed to SQL queries within the RJ Quickcharts plugin. The plugin fails to sanitize or parameterize parameters before concatenating them into database statements. An authenticated attacker can submit crafted input that breaks out of the intended query context and appends arbitrary SQL clauses.
The vulnerability requires low privileges and no user interaction, and it is exploitable over the network. The scope is changed, meaning impact extends beyond the vulnerable component to the underlying WordPress database. Confidentiality impact is high, while integrity is unaffected and availability impact is low.
Root Cause
The root cause is direct inclusion of unvalidated input in SQL statements without using prepared statements or $wpdb->prepare(). WordPress provides safe query APIs, but the plugin code path bypasses them. This pattern allows attacker-controlled values to alter query structure rather than serving only as data.
Attack Vector
An authenticated user sends an HTTP request to a plugin endpoint that processes chart data parameters. By embedding SQL metacharacters and UNION-based payloads in the request, the attacker forces the database to execute additional queries. The attacker can enumerate the wp_users table, extract password hashes, or read arbitrary database content. See the Patchstack SQL Injection Advisory for advisory details. No public proof-of-concept code is currently available.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-31024
Indicators of Compromise
- Web server access logs containing SQL metacharacters such as UNION SELECT, --, ', or 0x in requests to rj-quickcharts endpoints
- Unexpected outbound database queries referencing wp_users or wp_options from plugin handlers
- Newly created administrative WordPress accounts following plugin endpoint activity
- Anomalous response sizes for requests targeting chart rendering routes
Detection Strategies
- Inspect WordPress request logs for parameters containing SQL syntax delivered to rj-quickcharts URLs
- Enable MySQL/MariaDB general query logging temporarily to identify malformed or injected queries originating from the plugin
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) ruleset that flags SQL injection patterns on authenticated WordPress sessions
- Correlate authentication events with plugin endpoint activity to identify low-privilege accounts performing database reconnaissance
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward WordPress, web server, and database logs to a centralized analytics platform for correlation
- Alert on repeated 500-series HTTP responses from rj-quickcharts endpoints, which often indicate injection probing
- Monitor for privilege changes on WordPress user accounts after plugin activity
- Track file integrity on plugin directories to identify post-exploitation webshell drops
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-31024
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate and remove the RJ Quickcharts plugin until a patched release becomes available
- Audit WordPress user accounts and rotate credentials for any accounts with access to plugin functionality
- Review database contents and access logs for signs of data exfiltration
- Restrict access to WordPress administrative areas using IP allow-lists or multi-factor authentication
Patch Information
At the time of publication, no fixed version of RJ Quickcharts has been released beyond 0.6.1. Monitor the Patchstack advisory and the plugin repository for updates. Apply any new release immediately upon availability and verify the fix uses parameterized queries.
Workarounds
- Remove the rj-quickcharts plugin directory from wp-content/plugins/ if it is not business-critical
- Place the WordPress admin area behind a reverse proxy that enforces SQL injection filtering
- Restrict database user permissions so the WordPress account cannot read tables outside its required scope
- Enforce least privilege on WordPress roles to limit which authenticated users can reach plugin endpoints
# Disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate rj-quickcharts
wp plugin delete rj-quickcharts
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
