CVE-2025-47538 Overview
CVE-2025-47538 is a SQL injection vulnerability affecting the wpdever Cart tracking for WooCommerce WordPress plugin. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command [CWE-89]. All plugin versions up to and including 1.0.17 are affected.
An authenticated attacker with high privileges can inject arbitrary SQL statements through unsanitized input handled by the plugin. Successful exploitation compromises database confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability is reachable over the network without user interaction.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can read, modify, or destroy WooCommerce order, customer, and credential data stored in the WordPress database.
Affected Products
- wpdever Cart tracking for WooCommerce plugin versions up to and including 1.0.17
- WordPress sites running the affected plugin alongside WooCommerce
- Any environment where the plugin is installed and activated
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-05-07 - CVE-2025-47538 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-47538
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Cart tracking for WooCommerce plugin, which records cart activity for WooCommerce stores. Input passed to the plugin is concatenated into SQL queries without proper parameterization or escaping.
An attacker authenticated with high-privilege access can submit crafted parameters that alter query structure. The injected SQL executes with the privileges of the WordPress database user, typically granting full read and write access to all WordPress tables.
Because WooCommerce installations store order details, customer addresses, and password hashes in the same database, exploitation exposes commercially sensitive and regulated data. The attack vector is network-based and requires no user interaction.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands [CWE-89]. The plugin builds SQL queries by concatenating attacker-controlled input rather than using prepared statements or the WordPress $wpdb->prepare() API. Special characters such as single quotes, comments, and statement terminators pass through unsanitized.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires an authenticated session with high privileges on the target WordPress site. The attacker submits HTTP requests carrying SQL metacharacters in parameters processed by the vulnerable plugin endpoints. The crafted payload modifies the intended query and executes additional SQL against the WordPress database.
Technical details are documented in the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory. No public proof-of-concept exploit is currently available.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-47538
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to WordPress admin endpoints containing SQL metacharacters such as UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, --, or encoded variants
- Unexpected outbound traffic from the WordPress host following administrative actions
- Database tables containing rows with unfamiliar timestamps or modified wp_users entries
- WordPress error logs showing MySQL syntax errors tied to plugin endpoints
Detection Strategies
- Inspect WordPress and web server access logs for parameters delivered to Cart tracking for WooCommerce endpoints containing SQL operators or comment sequences
- Enable MySQL general query logging temporarily and review queries originating from the plugin for unexpected UNION, SLEEP, or INFORMATION_SCHEMA references
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule set that flags SQL injection patterns against /wp-admin/ and plugin AJAX endpoints
Monitoring Recommendations
- Alert on administrator account logins from new geographies or IP ranges, since exploitation requires high privileges
- Monitor for modifications to wp_options, wp_users, and WooCommerce order tables outside change windows
- Track plugin version inventory across WordPress estates and flag any host still running cart-tracking-for-woocommerce version <= 1.0.17
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-47538
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress sites with the Cart tracking for WooCommerce plugin installed and confirm the version
- Update the plugin to a version newer than 1.0.17 once the vendor publishes a fix, or deactivate and remove the plugin if no patch is available
- Rotate WordPress administrator passwords and WooCommerce API keys, since high-privilege accounts are required for exploitation
- Review database audit logs for signs of prior injection attempts
Patch Information
No fixed version is referenced in the available advisory. Consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory for the latest remediation guidance and any released patch version.
Workarounds
- Deactivate and remove the Cart tracking for WooCommerce plugin until a fixed release is confirmed
- Restrict access to /wp-admin/ using IP allowlists or VPN-only access to limit the pool of users able to authenticate
- Enforce multi-factor authentication for all WordPress administrator and shop manager accounts to reduce the risk of credential abuse leading to exploitation
- Apply a virtual patch via WAF rules that block SQL metacharacters in requests to the plugin's endpoints
# Configuration example: disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate cart-tracking-for-woocommerce
wp plugin delete cart-tracking-for-woocommerce
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
