CVE-2025-31542 Overview
CVE-2025-31542 is a blind SQL injection vulnerability affecting the wphocus My Auctions Allegro Free Edition WordPress plugin. The flaw exists in versions up to and including 3.6.20 and stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command [CWE-89]. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can inject crafted SQL payloads over the network to extract data from the underlying database. The vulnerability has a scope change impact, meaning successful exploitation affects resources beyond the vulnerable component.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can perform blind SQL injection against WordPress sites running My Auctions Allegro <= 3.6.20, enabling database content disclosure and potential site disruption.
Affected Products
- wphocus My Auctions Allegro Free Edition (my-auctions-allegro-free-edition)
- All versions from initial release through 3.6.20
- WordPress installations with the plugin enabled
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-03-31 - CVE-2025-31542 published to NVD
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-31542
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is classified as Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command [CWE-89]. The My Auctions Allegro plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. Attackers exploit this weakness through blind SQL injection, where query results are not directly returned in HTTP responses. Instead, attackers infer database content through boolean-based or time-based inference techniques.
The attack requires low-privilege authentication, meaning any user with a valid account on the WordPress site can attempt exploitation. The scope change indicates that exploitation affects components beyond the plugin itself, potentially exposing the entire WordPress database including user credentials, session tokens, and configuration data.
Root Cause
The root cause lies in unsanitized parameter handling within the plugin's SQL query construction. The plugin concatenates user-controlled input directly into SQL statements without using prepared statements or proper escaping via WordPress's $wpdb->prepare() mechanism. This allows attacker-supplied input to break out of intended query context and inject arbitrary SQL syntax.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is remote and network-accessible. An authenticated attacker sends crafted HTTP requests containing malicious SQL payloads to plugin endpoints. Because the injection is blind, attackers typically use conditional response timing or boolean differentiation to extract data character by character. Refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Advisory for additional technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-31542
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual SQL syntax patterns in WordPress access logs targeting My Auctions Allegro plugin endpoints
- Repeated HTTP requests with SLEEP(), BENCHMARK(), or boolean inference payloads such as AND 1=1 and AND 1=2
- Elevated query response times correlating with requests to plugin URLs
- Unexpected entries in WordPress error logs referencing SQL syntax errors from plugin queries
Detection Strategies
- Monitor web server and WordPress logs for anomalous query strings targeting /wp-content/plugins/my-auctions-allegro-free-edition/ paths
- Deploy web application firewall rules that flag classic SQL injection signatures in plugin parameters
- Correlate authenticated user activity with database query anomalies to identify malicious low-privilege accounts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress debug logging and review database query logs for malformed statements
- Track failed and successful authentications against low-privilege accounts performing unusual plugin interactions
- Alert on database errors emitted by the plugin during runtime, which often indicate active injection probing
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-31542
Immediate Actions Required
- Disable the My Auctions Allegro Free Edition plugin until a patched version is available
- Audit WordPress user accounts and revoke unnecessary low-privilege access
- Review database logs and WordPress activity logs for signs of prior exploitation
- Rotate WordPress database credentials and administrative passwords if compromise is suspected
Patch Information
As of the last NVD update on 2026-04-23, the vulnerability affects all versions through 3.6.20. Site administrators should consult the Patchstack advisory for the latest patch availability and upgrade to a fixed version when released by the vendor.
Workarounds
- Deploy a virtual patch through a web application firewall to block SQL injection payloads targeting the plugin
- Restrict access to the plugin's functionality to trusted administrative users only
- Implement WordPress role hardening to limit which users can interact with plugin endpoints
- Consider migrating to an alternative auction plugin until a security fix is confirmed
# Example: Disable the plugin via WP-CLI as a temporary mitigation
wp plugin deactivate my-auctions-allegro-free-edition
wp plugin status my-auctions-allegro-free-edition
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
