CVE-2025-32618 Overview
CVE-2025-32618 is a SQL Injection vulnerability in the PickPlugins Wishlist plugin for WordPress. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command [CWE-89]. It affects all versions of the Wishlist plugin up to and including 1.0.46. Authenticated attackers with low-level privileges can inject malicious SQL into backend database queries over the network. Successful exploitation allows attackers to read sensitive database contents and impact service availability. The vulnerability was published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) on April 11, 2025.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can extract sensitive database records, including user credentials and personally identifiable information stored by the WordPress site.
Affected Products
- PickPlugins Wishlist plugin for WordPress
- All versions through 1.0.46
- WordPress sites with the Wishlist plugin installed and active
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-04-11 - CVE-2025-32618 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-32618
Vulnerability Analysis
The Wishlist plugin fails to sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. An authenticated user with low privileges can submit crafted parameters that alter the structure of database queries executed by the plugin. The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerable component can affect resources beyond its security boundary. Confidentiality impact is high because attackers can exfiltrate arbitrary table contents, including WordPress user records and password hashes from the wp_users table. Availability impact is low, and integrity is not directly affected by the documented attack path.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special characters in SQL statements [CWE-89]. The plugin concatenates request parameters directly into queries without using prepared statements or the wpdb::prepare() API. Special characters such as single quotes, parentheses, and SQL keywords pass through to the database engine and modify the intended query logic.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the WordPress site and an authenticated session with low privileges, such as a subscriber or customer account. The attacker submits crafted input to a vulnerable plugin endpoint that processes wishlist-related parameters. The malicious payload typically includes UNION SELECT statements or boolean-based blind injection sequences to extract data from arbitrary tables. No user interaction is required beyond the attacker's own request submission. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Database Entry for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-32618
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual HTTP requests to Wishlist plugin endpoints containing SQL keywords such as UNION, SELECT, SLEEP, or INFORMATION_SCHEMA
- Web server access logs showing repeated requests from authenticated low-privilege accounts with encoded special characters in parameter values
- Database error messages logged by WordPress referencing syntax errors in plugin-generated queries
- Unexpected outbound data transfers correlated with plugin endpoint activity
Detection Strategies
- Inspect WordPress and web server logs for requests targeting Wishlist plugin handlers with SQL metacharacters in query strings or POST bodies
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule set that flags SQL injection patterns directed at WordPress plugin paths
- Enable MySQL or MariaDB general query logging temporarily to identify malformed queries originating from the plugin
Monitoring Recommendations
- Audit accounts created with low-privilege roles, since exploitation requires authentication
- Monitor for privilege changes or new administrator accounts following suspicious request patterns
- Alert on bulk record retrieval from sensitive tables such as wp_users and wp_usermeta
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-32618
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress instances running the PickPlugins Wishlist plugin at version 1.0.46 or earlier
- Deactivate the plugin until a patched release is installed if a fix is unavailable for your environment
- Restrict registration and limit low-privilege account creation on affected sites
- Rotate WordPress administrator credentials and database passwords if exploitation is suspected
Patch Information
At the time of publication, the vendor advisory tracked through Patchstack indicates the vulnerability affects versions up to and including 1.0.46. Administrators should update to the latest available version of the Wishlist plugin that addresses CVE-2025-32618. Review the Patchstack Vulnerability Database Entry for the current fixed version.
Workarounds
- Apply virtual patching through a WAF to block SQL injection payloads targeting Wishlist plugin endpoints
- Disable the Wishlist plugin on affected WordPress sites until an updated version is deployed
- Enforce the principle of least privilege by limiting which user roles can interact with wishlist functionality
- Restrict database account permissions used by WordPress to the minimum required tables and operations
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
