CVE-2025-31579: WP AutoKeyword SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2025-31579 Overview

CVE-2025-31579 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the WP AutoKeyword WordPress plugin developed by EXEIdeas International. This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, allowing attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input. All versions of the plugin through version 1.0 are affected by this security flaw.

Critical Impact

This SQL Injection vulnerability enables unauthenticated attackers to access and extract sensitive information from the WordPress database, potentially compromising user credentials, site configuration, and other confidential data.

Affected Products

• WP AutoKeyword plugin versions through 1.0
• WordPress installations using the vulnerable WP AutoKeyword plugin
• EXEIdeas International WP AutoKeyword deployments

Discovery Timeline

• April 1, 2025 - CVE-2025-31579 published to NVD
• April 2, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-31579

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command). The WP AutoKeyword plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries, creating an exploitable injection point. Since the attack vector is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction, remote attackers can directly target vulnerable installations to extract database contents.

The scope is changed (S:C), meaning a successful exploit can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component itself. The primary impact is on confidentiality, with high potential for data exposure, while availability may experience limited degradation during exploitation attempts.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-31579 lies in inadequate input validation and sanitization within the WP AutoKeyword plugin. The plugin directly incorporates user-controlled data into SQL queries without properly escaping or parameterizing the input. This failure to use WordPress's built-in database abstraction layer (such as $wpdb->prepare()) or equivalent prepared statement mechanisms allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL syntax.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests containing SQL injection payloads targeting the vulnerable plugin functionality. Upon processing these requests, the plugin executes the injected SQL commands against the WordPress database, potentially allowing:

• Extraction of sensitive database contents including user credentials
• Enumeration of database structure and table schemas
• Potential modification of database records depending on query context
• Information disclosure about the underlying database system

For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the Patchstack security advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-31579

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual database queries or error messages in WordPress debug logs containing SQL syntax fragments
• Unexpected HTTP requests to WP AutoKeyword plugin endpoints with suspicious parameters containing SQL keywords (UNION, SELECT, OR 1=1, etc.)
• Evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized database access in server logs
• Anomalous traffic patterns targeting WordPress plugin directories

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect common SQL injection patterns in requests to WordPress plugins
• Monitor database query logs for unexpected or malformed SQL statements originating from the WP AutoKeyword plugin
• Deploy intrusion detection systems configured to alert on SQL injection attack signatures
• Review WordPress access logs for repeated requests with encoded or suspicious parameter values

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable WordPress debug logging temporarily to capture any SQL errors that may indicate exploitation attempts
• Configure real-time alerting for database authentication failures or privilege escalation attempts
• Monitor outbound network traffic for potential data exfiltration following successful SQL injection
• Implement file integrity monitoring on WordPress plugin directories to detect unauthorized modifications

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-31579

Immediate Actions Required

• Immediately deactivate and remove the WP AutoKeyword plugin from all WordPress installations
• Conduct a security audit of the WordPress database to identify potential unauthorized access or data theft
• Review server and WordPress logs for evidence of prior exploitation attempts
• Change all WordPress user passwords, particularly administrator accounts, as a precautionary measure

Patch Information

At the time of publication, no patched version of the WP AutoKeyword plugin has been confirmed. Organizations using this plugin should remove it entirely and seek alternative solutions for keyword management functionality. Monitor the Patchstack vulnerability database for updates on any vendor patches.

Workarounds

• Remove the WP AutoKeyword plugin entirely until a security patch is released
• Implement WAF rules to block requests containing SQL injection patterns targeting the plugin
• Restrict access to the WordPress admin panel and plugin endpoints via IP allowlisting
• Use a WordPress security plugin to add additional input validation and SQL injection protection layers

# WordPress plugin removal via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate wp-autokeyword --path=/var/www/html
wp plugin delete wp-autokeyword --path=/var/www/html

# Verify plugin removal
wp plugin list --path=/var/www/html | grep autokeyword