CVE-2025-49897 Overview
CVE-2025-49897 is a Blind SQL Injection vulnerability in the gopiplus Vertical Scroll Slideshow Gallery v2 WordPress plugin. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands [CWE-89]. It affects all versions from initial release through version 9.1. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can inject arbitrary SQL statements over the network without user interaction. Successful exploitation impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the underlying WordPress database.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary SQL queries against the WordPress database, enabling extraction of credentials, content tampering, and potential full site compromise.
Affected Products
- gopiplus Vertical Scroll Slideshow Gallery v2 WordPress plugin
- All versions from initial release through 9.1
- WordPress sites with the vulnerable plugin installed and activated
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-08-15 - CVE-2025-49897 published to NVD
- 2026-04-28 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-49897
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is classified as Blind SQL Injection under [CWE-89]. The plugin fails to properly sanitize or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries executed against the WordPress database. Because the injection is blind, attackers infer query results from application behavior rather than direct output. Time-based and boolean-based techniques are typical exploitation paths.
The attack vector is network-based and requires low-privilege authentication, which on WordPress can map to subscriber or contributor accounts depending on the affected endpoint. No user interaction is required to trigger the flaw.
Root Cause
The plugin concatenates user-controlled input directly into SQL statements without using prepared statements or the WordPress $wpdb->prepare() API. This violation of secure coding practices allows attacker-supplied data to alter the structure of database queries.
Attack Vector
An authenticated attacker submits crafted HTTP requests to a vulnerable plugin endpoint, embedding SQL syntax within parameters consumed by the slideshow gallery functionality. The injected payload alters query logic, allowing the attacker to enumerate database tables, extract wp_users credentials, or modify content. Exploitation is automatable using standard SQL injection tooling.
No verified public exploit code or proof of concept is currently available. See the Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability advisory for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-49897
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to plugin endpoints containing SQL meta-characters such as ', --, UNION, SLEEP(, or BENCHMARK(
- Unusual response time patterns indicative of time-based blind SQL injection probing
- Unexpected administrative account creation or modifications in the wp_users table
- Web server access logs showing repeated parameter fuzzing against vertical-scroll-slideshow-gallery-v2 endpoints
Detection Strategies
- Inspect WordPress request logs for parameter values containing SQL syntax targeting the vulnerable plugin
- Enable WordPress database query logging and review for malformed or anomalous queries originating from plugin handlers
- Deploy web application firewall rules that match common blind SQL injection signatures and time-delay payloads
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor authentication events and privilege changes on WordPress accounts, particularly low-privilege users issuing admin-level queries
- Alert on outbound traffic anomalies from the WordPress host that may indicate data exfiltration following database compromise
- Track plugin version inventory across managed WordPress installations to identify vulnerable instances of version 9.1 or earlier
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-49897
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate and remove the Vertical Scroll Slideshow Gallery v2 plugin until a patched release is confirmed available
- Audit all WordPress user accounts and rotate credentials, prioritizing administrator and database accounts
- Review database contents for signs of tampering, unauthorized content, or rogue administrator accounts
- Restrict access to WordPress login and admin endpoints using IP allowlisting or multi-factor authentication
Patch Information
At the time of publication, no fixed version has been identified in the available advisory. Affected versions span from initial release through 9.1. Monitor the Patchstack advisory for vendor updates and apply patches immediately when released.
Workarounds
- Remove the plugin entirely if no patch is available and the functionality is non-essential
- Deploy a web application firewall with SQL injection protection rules in front of the WordPress site
- Restrict the WordPress database user to least-privilege permissions, removing unnecessary DROP, ALTER, and FILE privileges
- Disable account self-registration to limit the population of low-privilege accounts that could exploit the flaw
# Example: disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate vertical-scroll-slideshow-gallery-v2
wp plugin delete vertical-scroll-slideshow-gallery-v2
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
