CVE-2025-48280 Overview
CVE-2025-48280 is a Blind SQL Injection vulnerability in the AutomatorWP WordPress plugin developed by Ruben Garcia. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands [CWE-89]. It affects all AutomatorWP versions up to and including 5.2.1.3. An authenticated attacker with high privileges can inject crafted SQL payloads to infer database contents through blind techniques. The vulnerability has a network attack vector and changes scope, which expands the potential impact beyond the vulnerable component.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can exfiltrate sensitive WordPress database contents, including user credentials and configuration data, through blind SQL injection against AutomatorWP installations up to version 5.2.1.3.
Affected Products
- AutomatorWP WordPress plugin by Ruben Garcia
- All versions from initial release through 5.2.1.3
- WordPress sites running the vulnerable plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-05-19 - CVE-2025-48280 published to NVD
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-48280
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a Blind SQL Injection issue classified under [CWE-89]. AutomatorWP processes user-supplied input and incorporates it into SQL queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization. Because the application does not return query results directly to the attacker, exploitation relies on blind techniques. Attackers infer data by observing differential responses or time-based delays from the database.
The scope-changing nature of the flaw indicates that successful exploitation can affect resources beyond the AutomatorWP plugin itself, such as the broader WordPress database holding user records, posts, and secrets. The vulnerability requires high-privilege authentication but does not require user interaction.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special characters within SQL statements constructed by AutomatorWP. Input destined for query clauses is concatenated into SQL strings rather than passed through prepared statements or $wpdb->prepare() with proper placeholders. This allows attacker-controlled values to break out of the intended query context and modify query logic.
Attack Vector
An authenticated user with elevated permissions submits crafted input to a vulnerable AutomatorWP endpoint. The plugin embeds the input into a backend SQL query, where attacker-controlled syntax alters the query structure. The attacker then uses boolean-based or time-based inference to extract data character by character. See the Patchstack Vulnerability Database Entry for additional technical context.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. Exploitation details are described in prose to avoid synthetic code.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-48280
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual SQL syntax patterns such as SLEEP(, BENCHMARK(, UNION SELECT, or boolean tautologies (OR 1=1) appearing in HTTP request parameters to AutomatorWP endpoints
- Repeated requests to the same AutomatorWP URL with incrementally varying parameter values, indicative of automated blind extraction
- Spikes in database query latency correlated with requests from authenticated WordPress sessions
Detection Strategies
- Inspect WordPress access logs and web application firewall (WAF) telemetry for SQL metacharacters in requests targeting AutomatorWP routes
- Enable MySQL/MariaDB query logging temporarily to identify malformed or anomalously long queries originating from the plugin
- Correlate authenticated administrative session activity with sudden surges in request volume to plugin endpoints
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward WordPress, web server, and database logs to a centralized analytics platform for cross-source correlation
- Alert on time-delay query patterns suggesting time-based blind SQL injection probing
- Monitor for unexpected privilege use by administrator-level accounts interacting with AutomatorWP
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-48280
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress installations running AutomatorWP version 5.2.1.3 or earlier and inventory their exposure
- Restrict administrative access to trusted IP ranges and enforce multi-factor authentication on privileged WordPress accounts
- Deploy WAF rules to block SQL injection signatures targeting AutomatorWP request parameters
Patch Information
At the time of NVD publication, the vulnerability affects AutomatorWP through 5.2.1.3. Administrators should monitor the Patchstack advisory and the official plugin repository for a fixed release and apply the update promptly.
Workarounds
- Temporarily disable the AutomatorWP plugin until a patched version is installed if the plugin is not business-critical
- Limit the number of accounts holding administrator or equivalent high-privilege roles in WordPress
- Apply virtual patching at the WAF layer to filter requests containing SQL syntax to AutomatorWP endpoints
# Example WAF rule snippet (ModSecurity) to flag SQLi patterns on AutomatorWP requests
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" \
"chain,phase:2,deny,status:403,id:1002025,msg:'Possible SQLi in AutomatorWP'"
SecRule ARGS "@rx (?i)(union\s+select|sleep\(|benchmark\(|or\s+1=1)" \
"t:none,t:urlDecodeUni"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
