CVE-2025-48278 Overview
CVE-2025-48278 is a SQL injection vulnerability in the RSVPMaker WordPress plugin developed by David F. Carr. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 11.5.6 and stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command [CWE-89]. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can send crafted input over the network to manipulate database queries executed by the plugin. The vulnerability is tracked with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.5 and impacts the confidentiality of data stored in the WordPress database, with additional availability impact and a changed scope.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can extract sensitive data from the WordPress database and potentially affect site availability by abusing injected SQL queries.
Affected Products
- RSVPMaker WordPress plugin (rsvpmaker) versions up to and including 11.5.6
- WordPress sites running the affected plugin versions
- Any WordPress installation where RSVPMaker is enabled and accepts authenticated user input
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-05-19 - CVE-2025-48278 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-48278
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-89], improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command. RSVPMaker accepts attacker-controlled input and concatenates or interpolates it into SQL queries without sufficient sanitization or parameterization. An authenticated user can insert SQL syntax that the database engine then interprets as part of the query structure rather than as data. The scope is marked as changed, meaning successful exploitation impacts resources beyond the vulnerable component itself. The confidentiality impact is high, allowing extraction of arbitrary database contents, while the availability impact is low and the integrity impact is none.
Root Cause
The root cause is the absence of prepared statements or proper escaping when user-supplied parameters reach SQL queries in the RSVPMaker codebase. WordPress provides the $wpdb->prepare() API for safe query construction, but the affected code paths in versions up to 11.5.6 do not consistently apply it. Untrusted input flows into query strings, allowing injection of additional SQL clauses such as UNION SELECT payloads.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network and requires only low-privilege authentication on the target WordPress instance. The attacker submits requests to vulnerable plugin endpoints containing SQL meta-characters in parameters processed by RSVPMaker. The injected payload is executed against the WordPress database, returning sensitive data such as user credentials, session tokens, and configuration values. No user interaction is required beyond the attacker's own authenticated session.
Detailed technical analysis is available in the Patchstack SQL Injection Advisory.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-48278
Indicators of Compromise
- Web server access logs containing SQL meta-characters such as ', UNION, SELECT, --, or /* in requests targeting RSVPMaker endpoints
- Unexpected outbound queries from the WordPress database user or anomalous SELECT patterns against wp_users and wp_options
- New or modified administrator accounts following suspicious authenticated requests to plugin URLs
- WordPress error logs showing MySQL syntax errors originating from RSVPMaker handlers
Detection Strategies
- Inspect HTTP request parameters sent to RSVPMaker routes for SQL keywords, encoded quotes (%27), and tautology patterns such as OR 1=1
- Deploy a web application firewall ruleset that flags SQL injection signatures on WordPress plugin endpoints
- Correlate authenticated session activity with database query anomalies to identify low-privilege users issuing unexpected query volumes
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress query logging or database audit logging to capture queries originating from the plugin
- Monitor for spikes in 500-series responses from /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php and RSVPMaker shortcode endpoints
- Alert on creation of new privileged users or password resets shortly after authenticated plugin interactions
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-48278
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress sites running RSVPMaker version 11.5.6 or earlier and prioritize patching
- Restrict access to authenticated plugin functionality to trusted users until a fix is applied
- Review WordPress user accounts for unauthorized privilege changes and rotate administrator credentials
- Audit the database for unauthorized reads of sensitive tables such as wp_users and wp_usermeta
Patch Information
At the time of publication, the Patchstack SQL Injection Advisory lists the issue as affecting RSVPMaker through 11.5.6. Administrators should upgrade to the latest version published by the vendor on the WordPress plugin repository and verify the installed version after upgrade.
Workarounds
- Deactivate and remove the RSVPMaker plugin until a patched release is installed
- Deploy a web application firewall with SQL injection rules in front of the WordPress site
- Limit RSVPMaker functionality to administrator roles and disable low-privilege account registration where feasible
- Apply principle of least privilege to the WordPress database user to minimize injection impact
# Configuration example: identify affected installations and disable the plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin get rsvpmaker --field=version
wp plugin deactivate rsvpmaker
wp plugin update rsvpmaker
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
