CVE-2025-31928 Overview
CVE-2025-31928 is a SQL Injection vulnerability in the LambertGroup Multimedia Responsive Carousel with Image Video Audio Support WordPress plugin (multimedia-carousel). The flaw affects all versions up to and including 2.6.0 and stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands [CWE-89]. Authenticated attackers with low privileges can inject arbitrary SQL statements through network-accessible inputs. The scope is changed, meaning successful exploitation can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component. The vulnerability enables disclosure of confidential database content and partial availability impact on the host application.
Critical Impact
An authenticated attacker can extract sensitive database contents from WordPress sites running the vulnerable plugin, including user credentials and configuration data.
Affected Products
- LambertGroup Multimedia Responsive Carousel with Image Video Audio Support
- Plugin slug: multimedia-carousel
- All versions through 2.6.0
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-05-16 - CVE-2025-31928 published to NVD
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-31928
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a classic SQL Injection flaw classified under [CWE-89]. The plugin accepts user-controllable input and concatenates it into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. Because the plugin executes within the WordPress database context, injected SQL operates against the full WordPress schema, including wp_users and wp_options.
The attack requires authentication but only low-level privileges, which means any subscriber-tier user account on a vulnerable WordPress site can leverage the flaw. No user interaction is needed beyond the attacker's own request. The scope change indicates the vulnerable component crosses a security boundary when executing queries.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special characters in SQL statements. The plugin fails to use prepared statements or the WordPress $wpdb->prepare() API correctly when constructing queries from request parameters. Special characters such as single quotes, semicolons, and SQL comment markers pass through to the database engine unescaped.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network through standard HTTP/HTTPS requests to the WordPress site. An authenticated attacker submits crafted parameters to plugin endpoints handling carousel data. The injected payload alters query logic, enabling techniques such as UNION-based extraction, boolean-based blind injection, or time-based blind injection to enumerate database contents.
No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. Refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Advisory for additional technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-31928
Indicators of Compromise
- Web server access logs containing SQL keywords such as UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, BENCHMARK(, or INFORMATION_SCHEMA in query parameters targeting plugin endpoints.
- Database error messages referencing the multimedia-carousel plugin appearing in PHP error logs.
- Unexpected outbound database queries returning large result sets from authenticated low-privilege user sessions.
- Anomalous response time patterns on plugin URLs, indicating time-based blind SQL injection probing.
Detection Strategies
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) ruleset that inspects request parameters for SQL meta-characters and known injection signatures against the multimedia-carousel plugin paths.
- Enable WordPress database query logging and review queries originating from plugin code for suspicious string concatenation patterns.
- Correlate authentication events with plugin endpoint requests to identify low-privileged accounts performing data extraction activity.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor for spikes in plugin endpoint requests from a single authenticated session.
- Alert on HTTP responses with anomalously large payload sizes from carousel-related URLs.
- Track creation of new WordPress accounts followed by immediate access to plugin functionality.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-31928
Immediate Actions Required
- Disable the Multimedia Responsive Carousel with Image Video Audio Support plugin until a patched version is available.
- Restrict registration and audit existing low-privilege WordPress accounts on affected sites.
- Rotate WordPress administrator credentials and database secrets if exploitation is suspected.
- Review database access logs for evidence of unauthorized data extraction.
Patch Information
At the time of publication, no fixed version beyond 2.6.0 is referenced in the available advisory data. Site operators should consult the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Advisory and the LambertGroup vendor channel for patch availability.
Workarounds
- Remove or deactivate the multimedia-carousel plugin from all WordPress installations.
- Apply virtual patching through a WAF rule blocking SQL meta-characters on plugin endpoints.
- Restrict access to plugin URLs at the web server layer to administrators only via IP allowlisting.
- Enforce least-privilege principles by removing unused subscriber and contributor accounts.
# Example: deactivate the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate multimedia-carousel
wp plugin delete multimedia-carousel
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
