CVE-2025-46252 Overview
CVE-2025-46252 is a SQL Injection vulnerability in the Kofi Mokome Message Filter for Contact Form 7 WordPress plugin. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 1.6.3.2. It stems from improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands [CWE-89], allowing authenticated attackers with high privileges to inject malicious SQL into database queries. Successful exploitation can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the WordPress database. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without user interaction. The Patchstack security database tracks this issue under their WordPress vulnerability catalog.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary SQL queries against the WordPress database, enabling data theft, modification, and potential site takeover.
Affected Products
- Kofi Mokome Message Filter for Contact Form 7 (cf7-message-filter)
- All versions from initial release through 1.6.3.2
- WordPress installations running the vulnerable plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-04-22 - CVE-2025-46252 published to NVD
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-46252
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Message Filter for Contact Form 7 plugin, which extends Contact Form 7 with message filtering capabilities. The plugin fails to properly sanitize user-controlled input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This allows attackers to break out of intended query context and inject arbitrary SQL syntax.
The issue is classified under [CWE-89] (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command). Attackers with high-privilege accounts on the WordPress site can leverage this flaw to read sensitive data, modify records, or execute administrative database operations. Impacts include exposure of user credentials, password hashes, session tokens, and plugin configuration data stored in the WordPress database.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient input validation and parameterization in database queries within the plugin code. User-supplied parameters are concatenated directly into SQL statements rather than passed through $wpdb->prepare() with proper placeholders. This pattern allows special characters such as single quotes, semicolons, and SQL keywords to alter query structure.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the WordPress administrative interface and an authenticated account with elevated privileges. The attacker submits crafted input through plugin parameters that flow into a vulnerable SQL query. No user interaction beyond the attacker's own session is required. Once injected, the payload executes with the database privileges of the WordPress application user, typically granting full read and write access to all tables.
The vulnerability mechanism is described in the Patchstack SQL Injection Advisory. Specific exploit payloads are not publicly available at this time.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-46252
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected SQL syntax such as UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, or SLEEP() appearing in HTTP request parameters destined for wp-admin endpoints related to the cf7-message-filter plugin.
- Anomalous database queries in MySQL slow query logs or general logs referencing plugin-related tables.
- Outbound data transfers from the WordPress host shortly after authenticated administrative sessions.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for requests containing encoded SQL metacharacters targeting plugin parameters.
- Enable WordPress debug logging and review $wpdb query errors that may indicate failed injection attempts.
- Deploy a web application firewall with WordPress-specific rule sets to flag SQL injection patterns.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor authenticated administrator and editor sessions for unusual query patterns or bulk data retrieval.
- Audit changes to WordPress user tables, including unexpected privilege escalation or new administrator accounts.
- Alert on plugin file modifications and database schema changes outside scheduled maintenance windows.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-46252
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress sites running the Message Filter for Contact Form 7 plugin version 1.6.3.2 or earlier.
- Deactivate and remove the plugin until a patched version is confirmed available from the vendor.
- Rotate WordPress administrator credentials and review audit logs for signs of prior exploitation.
- Apply principle of least privilege to WordPress user accounts to limit the pool of accounts capable of triggering the flaw.
Patch Information
No fixed version was listed in the CVE record at the time of publication. Administrators should monitor the plugin's official WordPress.org repository page and the Patchstack advisory for updates. Apply any vendor-released patch immediately upon availability and verify the installed version exceeds 1.6.3.2.
Workarounds
- Remove or disable the cf7-message-filter plugin until a patched release is published.
- Restrict administrative access to the WordPress backend using IP allowlisting at the web server or firewall layer.
- Deploy a web application firewall configured with WordPress SQL injection signatures to block exploitation attempts.
- Enforce multi-factor authentication on all privileged WordPress accounts to reduce risk of credential abuse.
# Configuration example: disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate cf7-message-filter
wp plugin delete cf7-message-filter
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
