CVE-2025-49049: DZS Video Gallery SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2025-49049 Overview

CVE-2025-49049 is an SQL Injection vulnerability discovered in the DZS Video Gallery WordPress plugin (dzs-videogallery). The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL queries through user-controlled input. This flaw could enable unauthorized access to the underlying WordPress database, potentially compromising sensitive information including user credentials, site configuration data, and other stored content.

Critical Impact

Attackers can exploit this SQL Injection vulnerability to extract, modify, or delete data from the WordPress database. In severe cases, this could lead to complete site compromise, administrative account takeover, or further lateral movement within the hosting environment.

Affected Products

• DZS Video Gallery WordPress Plugin versions through 12.37
• WordPress installations utilizing the dzs-videogallery plugin

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-22 - CVE-2025-49049 published to NVD
• 2026-01-22 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-49049

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection'). The DZS Video Gallery plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries executed against the WordPress database. This allows attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL code through input fields or URL parameters processed by the plugin.

SQL Injection vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins are particularly dangerous because they can bypass WordPress's built-in security mechanisms. The plugin's failure to use prepared statements or proper input escaping creates a direct pathway for attackers to interact with the database backend.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient input validation and improper use of database query construction within the DZS Video Gallery plugin. Rather than utilizing WordPress's $wpdb->prepare() function or similar parameterized query methods, the plugin appears to concatenate user input directly into SQL statements. This implementation flaw allows special SQL characters and commands to be interpreted as part of the query structure rather than as literal data values.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability involves crafting malicious input containing SQL syntax that alters the intended database query. An attacker could exploit this through:

1. Manipulating GET or POST parameters processed by the plugin
2. Injecting SQL payloads through video gallery search or filter functionality
3. Exploiting administrative interfaces that accept user input for database operations

Successful exploitation could allow attackers to perform UNION-based attacks to extract data from other tables, boolean-based blind injection to enumerate database contents, or time-based blind injection techniques when direct data extraction is not possible. For detailed technical analysis, refer to the Patchstack WordPress Plugin Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-49049

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual database queries in WordPress or MySQL logs containing SQL injection patterns such as UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, or -- comment sequences
• Web server access logs showing requests to dzs-videogallery endpoints with encoded SQL syntax in parameters
• Unexpected database modifications, new admin accounts, or altered content within WordPress
• Error messages in logs indicating SQL syntax errors from malformed injection attempts

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect SQL injection patterns targeting WordPress plugin endpoints
• Enable detailed MySQL query logging and monitor for anomalous query patterns
• Deploy file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized changes to plugin files or database content
• Utilize WordPress security plugins that provide real-time attack detection and logging

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor web server access logs for requests containing common SQL injection payloads targeting /wp-content/plugins/dzs-videogallery/ paths
• Set up alerts for database errors that may indicate failed injection attempts
• Track administrative account creation and privilege changes within WordPress
• Implement anomaly detection for unusual database query volumes or response times

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-49049

Immediate Actions Required

• Review your WordPress installation for the presence of the DZS Video Gallery plugin by checking /wp-content/plugins/dzs-videogallery/
• If the plugin is installed and running version 12.37 or earlier, consider disabling it until a patch is available
• Implement a Web Application Firewall with SQL injection protection rules
• Audit database access logs for any signs of prior exploitation
• Change database credentials and WordPress admin passwords as a precautionary measure

Patch Information

As of the publication date, users should monitor the official plugin repository and the Patchstack advisory for updates regarding a security patch from ZoomIt. Until an official fix is released, implementing the workarounds below is strongly recommended.

Workarounds

• Disable the DZS Video Gallery plugin if it is not essential to site operations
• Implement strict WAF rules to block SQL injection attempts targeting plugin endpoints
• Restrict database user privileges to limit the impact of potential SQL injection attacks
• Consider replacing the plugin with an alternative video gallery solution that has a stronger security track record
• Use WordPress security plugins that provide virtual patching capabilities for known vulnerabilities

# Disable the plugin via WP-CLI if direct dashboard access is unavailable
wp plugin deactivate dzs-videogallery

# Check if the plugin is present and its version
wp plugin list --name=dzs-videogallery --fields=name,status,version

# Enable WordPress debug logging to monitor for exploitation attempts
# Add to wp-config.php:
# define('WP_DEBUG', true);
# define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
# define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);