CVE-2025-31640 Overview
CVE-2025-31640 is a SQL Injection vulnerability in the LambertGroup Magic Responsive Slider and Carousel WordPress plugin (magic-carousel). The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands [CWE-89]. All plugin versions up to and including 1.6 are affected. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can inject arbitrary SQL statements through vulnerable plugin parameters. Successful exploitation enables disclosure of database contents and partial impact to availability. The vulnerability affects the WordPress integration of the Magic Responsive Slider and Carousel product and crosses a security scope boundary.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary SQL queries against the WordPress database, exposing stored credentials, user records, and plugin configuration data.
Affected Products
- LambertGroup Magic Responsive Slider and Carousel WordPress plugin (magic-carousel)
- All versions from n/a through < 1.6
- WordPress sites running the vulnerable plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-05-16 - CVE-2025-31640 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-31640
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the magic-carousel plugin's handling of user-supplied input within SQL query construction. The plugin passes attacker-controlled parameters into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterized statement use. This allows injection of arbitrary SQL fragments into queries executed against the WordPress MySQL backend.
Exploitation requires authenticated access with low privileges, which lowers the barrier in multi-user WordPress environments. Subscriber, contributor, or author accounts may suffice to reach the vulnerable code path. The scope change indicates that exploitation impacts resources beyond the vulnerable component, including the broader WordPress installation and database.
See the Patchstack WordPress SQL Injection Advisory for additional technical context.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands [CWE-89]. Plugin code concatenates user-controlled input directly into SQL statements without using $wpdb->prepare() or equivalent parameterized query mechanisms. Special characters such as single quotes, comments, and UNION keywords pass through to the database engine.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-reachable over standard HTTP/HTTPS requests to the WordPress site. An authenticated attacker submits crafted parameter values to plugin endpoints that process carousel or slider requests. The injected SQL executes within the database session of the WordPress process. Attackers can extract user data, password hashes, session tokens, and configuration secrets stored in WordPress tables.
No verified public exploit code is currently available. The vulnerability mechanism follows standard WordPress plugin SQL injection patterns where input flows from request parameters into $wpdb->query() calls without sanitization.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-31640
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected SQL syntax patterns in web server access logs targeting magic-carousel plugin endpoints
- Database query errors referencing the plugin appearing in PHP or MySQL error logs
- Unusual UNION SELECT, SLEEP(), or INFORMATION_SCHEMA references in request parameters
- New or modified WordPress administrator accounts following suspicious plugin requests
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web access logs for requests to plugin paths containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, UNION, or hex-encoded payloads
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with rules tuned to detect SQL injection patterns in WordPress plugin parameters
- Enable WordPress database query logging during incident review to identify anomalous queries originating from the plugin
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor authenticated low-privilege user activity for requests targeting magic-carousel endpoints
- Alert on database errors correlated with plugin parameter input from non-administrative accounts
- Track outbound database export patterns and large SELECT operations against wp_users and wp_options tables
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-31640
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Magic Responsive Slider and Carousel WordPress plugin to a version later than 1.6 once a patched release is available
- Audit existing WordPress user accounts and remove unused low-privilege accounts that could be abused for authenticated exploitation
- Rotate WordPress administrator passwords and secret keys if exploitation is suspected
- Review database logs for evidence of unauthorized SELECT or UNION queries against sensitive tables
Patch Information
Refer to the Patchstack WordPress SQL Injection Advisory for current patch status and vendor remediation guidance. Apply vendor updates as soon as a fixed version is published.
Workarounds
- Deactivate and remove the magic-carousel plugin until a patched version is released
- Restrict access to authenticated plugin endpoints using WordPress role management and IP allowlisting
- Deploy WAF rules to block SQL injection patterns targeting plugin parameters
- Enforce least-privilege access for WordPress accounts to limit exposure of the authenticated attack path
# Configuration example: disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate magic-carousel
wp plugin delete magic-carousel
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
