CVE-2025-39471: Modal Survey SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2025-39471 Overview

CVE-2025-39471 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the Pantherius Modal Survey WordPress plugin. This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands (CWE-89), allowing attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input. The vulnerability affects all versions of Modal Survey from n/a through 2.0.2.0.1.

SQL Injection vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins are particularly dangerous as they can allow unauthenticated attackers to extract sensitive data from the WordPress database, including user credentials, email addresses, and other confidential information stored by the site.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this SQL Injection vulnerability over the network to extract sensitive database contents, potentially compromising confidentiality of all data stored in the WordPress database.

Affected Products

• Pantherius Modal Survey WordPress Plugin versions through 2.0.2.0.1
• WordPress installations running vulnerable Modal Survey plugin versions
• All database content accessible through the WordPress database connection

Discovery Timeline

• April 18, 2025 - CVE-2025-39471 published to NVD
• April 21, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-39471

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL Injection vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and sanitization within the Modal Survey plugin. The plugin fails to properly neutralize special characters and SQL syntax elements in user-supplied input before incorporating them into SQL queries. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that are then executed against the WordPress database.

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without requiring authentication, making it particularly severe. The changed scope indicator suggests that successful exploitation can impact resources beyond the vulnerable component itself, potentially affecting the entire WordPress installation and its database.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation (CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command). The Modal Survey plugin does not adequately sanitize user input before using it in database queries, failing to implement prepared statements or proper escaping mechanisms that would prevent SQL injection attacks.

WordPress provides several built-in functions for secure database operations, including $wpdb->prepare(), which the vulnerable code likely fails to utilize properly. This oversight allows attackers to break out of intended query structures and inject malicious SQL statements.

Attack Vector

The attack can be executed remotely over the network by any unauthenticated user who can send crafted HTTP requests to a WordPress site running the vulnerable plugin. Attackers typically identify vulnerable endpoints within the Modal Survey plugin that accept user input and construct malicious payloads containing SQL syntax.

Common attack patterns include:

1. Injecting UNION-based queries to extract data from other database tables
2. Using time-based blind SQL injection to enumerate database contents
3. Exploiting error-based techniques when verbose error messages are enabled
4. Leveraging stacked queries if the database configuration permits

The vulnerability primarily impacts confidentiality with high severity, allowing extraction of sensitive data. There is also a low impact on availability, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt database operations through malicious queries.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-39471

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual SQL error messages appearing in web server logs or WordPress debug logs
• Database query logs showing unexpected UNION, SELECT, or other SQL keywords in plugin parameters
• Anomalous outbound data transfers from the database server
• Unexpected database table access patterns, particularly to wp_users or other sensitive tables

Detection Strategies

• Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect common SQL injection patterns in HTTP requests
• Monitor WordPress and web server access logs for requests containing SQL syntax characters (', ", --, ;, UNION, SELECT)
• Implement database activity monitoring to alert on unusual query patterns targeting the Modal Survey plugin tables
• Use WordPress security plugins that can detect and block SQL injection attempts in real-time

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable and regularly review WordPress debug logging for database-related errors
• Configure intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for SQL injection attack patterns
• Implement rate limiting on plugin endpoints to slow automated exploitation attempts
• Set up alerts for failed database authentication attempts or permission errors

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-39471

Immediate Actions Required

• Audit your WordPress installation to determine if Modal Survey plugin version 2.0.2.0.1 or earlier is installed
• Disable or deactivate the Modal Survey plugin until a patched version is available
• Review database logs for any signs of prior exploitation attempts
• Consider implementing a WAF rule to block requests to Modal Survey endpoints
• Backup the WordPress database and site files before making any changes

Patch Information

At the time of publication, users should check the Patchstack vulnerability database for the latest information on available patches and remediation guidance from Pantherius. Monitor the WordPress plugin repository for updated versions of Modal Survey that address this vulnerability.

Workarounds

• Temporarily deactivate the Modal Survey plugin if it is not essential for site operations
• Implement WAF rules to filter SQL injection patterns targeting the plugin's endpoints
• Restrict access to the WordPress admin area and plugin functionality to trusted IP addresses
• Use a WordPress security plugin with SQL injection protection capabilities
• Consider replacing Modal Survey with an alternative survey plugin that has been recently audited for security issues

# WordPress CLI commands for mitigation
# List installed plugins to identify vulnerable versions
wp plugin list --fields=name,version,status

# Deactivate Modal Survey plugin temporarily
wp plugin deactivate modal-survey

# Check for available plugin updates
wp plugin update --all --dry-run