CVE-2025-47490 Overview
CVE-2025-47490 is a SQL Injection vulnerability in the Rustaurius Ultimate WP Mail plugin for WordPress. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands [CWE-89]. It affects all versions of Ultimate WP Mail up to and including 1.3.4. Authenticated attackers with low privileges can inject SQL syntax into vulnerable queries and access database contents across the WordPress installation. The scope is marked as changed, meaning successful exploitation impacts resources beyond the vulnerable component itself. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without user interaction.
Critical Impact
An authenticated attacker can extract sensitive WordPress database contents and disrupt site availability through crafted SQL payloads against the Ultimate WP Mail plugin.
Affected Products
- Rustaurius Ultimate WP Mail (ultimate-wp-mail) WordPress plugin
- All versions from initial release through 1.3.4
- WordPress sites with the plugin installed and active
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-05-07 - CVE-2025-47490 published to NVD
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-47490
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Ultimate WP Mail plugin's handling of user-supplied input passed to SQL queries. The plugin fails to properly sanitize or parameterize input before concatenating it into database statements. An attacker authenticated to the WordPress site can submit crafted parameters that break out of the intended SQL context.
Exploitation grants read access to arbitrary database tables, including the wp_users table containing password hashes and email addresses. The changed scope indicates the attacker can reach data managed by components other than the plugin itself. The integrity impact is rated none because the injected queries are limited to read and limited availability impact, while confidentiality of the WordPress database is fully compromised.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands [CWE-89]. The plugin constructs SQL statements using string concatenation with untrusted input rather than using WordPress prepared statement APIs such as $wpdb->prepare(). This omission allows quote characters, comment markers, and union clauses to alter query structure.
Attack Vector
An attacker requires a low-privilege authenticated session on the target WordPress site. The attacker submits a request to a plugin endpoint that processes input through the vulnerable query path. The injected payload is interpreted as SQL by the database engine and returns data the attacker is otherwise not authorized to read.
No verified exploitation code is publicly available for this vulnerability. Refer to the Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability advisory for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-47490
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected outbound database queries containing UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, or INFORMATION_SCHEMA references originating from PHP processes serving the WordPress site
- Web server access logs showing requests to Ultimate WP Mail plugin endpoints with encoded SQL metacharacters such as %27, %20OR%20, or --
- Anomalous read patterns against the wp_users and wp_options tables during normal plugin workflows
Detection Strategies
- Enable WordPress and MySQL query logging and search for plugin-originated queries that contain tautologies or union-based payloads
- Deploy a web application firewall ruleset that inspects requests targeting /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php and /wp-admin/admin-post.php for SQL injection signatures
- Correlate authenticated user sessions with sudden spikes in database response sizes or query duration
Monitoring Recommendations
- Track installed plugin inventory and alert when ultimate-wp-mail version 1.3.4 or earlier is present
- Monitor authentication logs for low-privilege accounts that suddenly access plugin admin pages
- Forward web server and database logs to a centralized analytics platform for retroactive hunting against SQL injection patterns
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-47490
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress instances with the Ultimate WP Mail plugin installed and inventory current versions
- Deactivate and remove the plugin on any instance running version 1.3.4 or earlier until a patched release is verified
- Rotate WordPress administrator passwords and database credentials if exploitation is suspected
- Review user registration settings to limit untrusted account creation that could be abused for authentication
Patch Information
No fixed version is listed in the NVD record at the time of publication. Site operators should consult the Patchstack advisory and the vendor's official channels for an updated release beyond 1.3.4. Apply the patched version across all WordPress instances once available.
Workarounds
- Remove the Ultimate WP Mail plugin until a vendor patch is released and verified
- Restrict access to authenticated plugin endpoints using IP allowlisting at the web server or WAF layer
- Enforce least-privilege role assignments so that contributor and subscriber accounts cannot reach vulnerable plugin functionality
- Apply virtual patching rules at the WAF to block SQL metacharacters in parameters processed by the plugin
# Configuration example: disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate ultimate-wp-mail
wp plugin delete ultimate-wp-mail
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
