CVE-2025-31099 Overview
CVE-2025-31099 is a SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the Slider by BestWebSoft WordPress plugin (slider-bws) in versions up to and including 1.1.0. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command [CWE-89], allowing an authenticated attacker with high privileges to inject malicious SQL statements through the affected plugin. Successful exploitation results in confidentiality impact on backend databases and potential availability degradation. The vulnerability carries a network attack vector with low attack complexity, requiring no user interaction.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can extract sensitive database contents from WordPress installations running vulnerable versions of the Slider by BestWebSoft plugin.
Affected Products
- Slider by BestWebSoft (slider-bws) WordPress plugin
- All versions from n/a through 1.1.0
- WordPress sites with the plugin installed and activated
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-03-28 - CVE-2025-31099 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-31099
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Slider by BestWebSoft WordPress plugin and is classified as Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command [CWE-89]. The plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries executed against the WordPress database. An attacker with high-privilege authentication can craft input containing SQL metacharacters that alter the structure of database queries.
The scope of the vulnerability is changed, meaning a successful exploit can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component itself. Confidentiality impact is high, allowing attackers to read arbitrary data from the WordPress database including user credentials, session tokens, and post content. Availability impact is rated low, indicating potential disruption of database operations. The EPSS probability for this CVE is 0.318%.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient input sanitization in database query construction. User-controlled parameters processed by the plugin are concatenated directly into SQL statements rather than being passed through parameterized queries or the WordPress $wpdb->prepare() method. Special characters such as single quotes, comments, and statement terminators are not neutralized before query execution.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the WordPress site and an authenticated session with high privileges. The attacker submits crafted input through plugin-controlled parameters where SQL metacharacters are interpreted by the database engine. Because the scope changes upon exploitation, the impact extends beyond the plugin to the broader WordPress database. No user interaction is required to complete the attack once the malicious request is submitted.
Refer to the Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability advisory for additional technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-31099
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected SQL syntax such as UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, or comment sequences (--, #) in HTTP request parameters targeting the plugin
- Anomalous database query patterns originating from WordPress administrative sessions
- Outbound database errors or stack traces returned to authenticated users interacting with the slider plugin
- Unauthorized access to sensitive tables such as wp_users or wp_usermeta
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for plugin-specific endpoints containing SQL metacharacters or encoded payloads
- Enable WordPress database query logging to identify malformed or suspicious statements executed via plugin code paths
- Deploy a web application firewall ruleset that flags injection signatures targeting slider-bws parameters
- Correlate authenticated admin actions with abnormal query volumes against backend tables
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor the WordPress plugin directory for the presence of slider-bws at versions 1.1.0 or earlier
- Alert on changes to user roles, password hashes, or option table entries that occur outside normal admin workflows
- Track failed login attempts followed by privilege-escalation activity on accounts with manage_options capability
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-31099
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress instances running the Slider by BestWebSoft plugin and confirm the installed version
- Deactivate and remove the plugin if a patched release is not yet available for your environment
- Restrict administrative access to trusted users only and enforce multi-factor authentication on privileged accounts
- Review database audit logs for evidence of prior exploitation attempts
Patch Information
At the time of publication, the vulnerability affects all versions through 1.1.0. Site administrators should consult the Patchstack advisory and the BestWebSoft vendor channels for the latest fixed release. Update to the patched version as soon as it becomes available.
Workarounds
- Disable the slider-bws plugin until an updated version is installed
- Deploy a web application firewall with virtual patching rules that block SQL injection signatures targeting the plugin
- Apply the principle of least privilege to the WordPress database user, limiting access to only the required tables
- Restrict access to the WordPress administrative interface using IP allow-listing or VPN-based controls
# Configuration example: identify and disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin list --name=slider-bws --fields=name,status,version
wp plugin deactivate slider-bws
wp plugin delete slider-bws
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
