CVE-2025-31565: WPSmartContracts SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2025-31565 Overview

CVE-2025-31565 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the WPSmartContracts WordPress plugin. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to perform Blind SQL Injection attacks against WordPress sites running the vulnerable plugin, potentially compromising the entire database and exposing sensitive data stored within the WordPress installation.

Critical Impact

This SQL Injection vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, allowing attackers to extract sensitive data from the WordPress database, including user credentials, configuration data, and any blockchain-related information managed by the WPSmartContracts plugin.

Affected Products

• WPSmartContracts WordPress Plugin versions up to and including 2.0.10
• WordPress installations with WPSmartContracts plugin activated
• All sites using vulnerable versions regardless of WordPress core version

Discovery Timeline

• April 11, 2025 - CVE-2025-31565 published to NVD
• April 11, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-31565

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability falls under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command), commonly known as SQL Injection. The WPSmartContracts plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious SQL code.

The Blind SQL Injection variant is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to extract database information even when the application does not directly return query results in its responses. Attackers can infer database contents through timing-based or boolean-based techniques, making detection more challenging while still enabling full database compromise.

The network-accessible attack vector with no authentication requirements means any internet-connected WordPress site running the vulnerable plugin is at risk. The vulnerability can impact data confidentiality significantly while also potentially affecting system availability.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation and sanitization within the WPSmartContracts plugin. User-controllable input is passed directly into SQL queries without using WordPress's prepared statement functions such as $wpdb->prepare() or proper escaping mechanisms. This allows attackers to break out of the intended query context and inject arbitrary SQL commands.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without requiring any user interaction or prior authentication. Attackers can craft malicious HTTP requests containing SQL injection payloads that target vulnerable endpoints in the WPSmartContracts plugin.

The Blind SQL Injection technique typically involves:

1. Identifying an injectable parameter in plugin endpoints
2. Crafting conditional SQL statements that produce observable differences in application behavior
3. Using time-based techniques (e.g., SLEEP() functions) or boolean conditions to extract data character by character
4. Systematically querying database schema information, table contents, and sensitive data

Since no verified code examples are available for this vulnerability, security researchers should refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory for technical details on the specific injection points and affected parameters.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-31565

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual database query patterns in MySQL/MariaDB logs, particularly queries with SLEEP(), BENCHMARK(), or conditional statements
• HTTP requests to WPSmartContracts plugin endpoints containing SQL syntax characters (', ", ;, --, /*)
• Time-based anomalies in response times for plugin-related requests indicating timing-based SQL injection probing
• Unexpected database access patterns or data exfiltration indicators

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules specifically targeting SQL injection patterns in requests to /wp-content/plugins/wp-smart-contracts/ paths
• Enable detailed MySQL query logging and monitor for suspicious query patterns including union-based or time-based injection signatures
• Implement SentinelOne Singularity XDR to detect and correlate suspicious database activity with web application behavior
• Audit WordPress access logs for repeated requests with incrementing or iterating parameter values indicating blind injection enumeration

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure real-time alerting for SQL error messages in WordPress error logs (wp-content/debug.log)
• Monitor database connection counts and query execution times for anomalies
• Implement file integrity monitoring on WPSmartContracts plugin files to detect unauthorized modifications
• Review WordPress admin activity logs for unauthorized administrative actions that may result from credential theft

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-31565

Immediate Actions Required

• Update WPSmartContracts plugin to a version newer than 2.0.10 immediately if a patched version is available
• If no patch is available, deactivate and remove the WPSmartContracts plugin until a security update is released
• Implement Web Application Firewall rules to block SQL injection attempts targeting the plugin
• Review database access logs for signs of prior exploitation and consider rotating database credentials
• Audit WordPress user accounts for any unauthorized administrative users that may have been created

Patch Information

At the time of this advisory, site administrators should check for plugin updates through the WordPress dashboard or contact WPSmartContracts directly for patch availability. Monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory for updates on remediation status.

Security teams should verify that any applied updates address the SQL injection vulnerability by reviewing changelog documentation and confirming proper input sanitization has been implemented.

Workarounds

• Temporarily disable the WPSmartContracts plugin if it is not critical to site operations
• Implement strict WAF rules blocking requests containing SQL injection patterns to plugin endpoints
• Restrict access to WordPress admin and plugin directories via IP allowlisting where feasible
• Use WordPress security plugins to add additional input validation layers

# Apache .htaccess rule to restrict direct access to plugin directory
<Directory "/var/www/html/wp-content/plugins/wp-smart-contracts">
    # Block common SQL injection characters in query strings
    RewriteEngine On
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (union|select|insert|update|delete|drop|truncate|sleep|benchmark) [NC]
    RewriteRule .* - [F,L]
</Directory>