CVE-2025-52829: DirectIQ Email Marketing SQL Injection

CVE-2025-52829 Overview

CVE-2025-52829 is a SQL Injection vulnerability in the DirectIQ Email Marketing WordPress plugin (directiq-wp). The flaw affects all versions through 2.0 and stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands [CWE-89]. Attackers can exploit the issue over the network without authentication or user interaction. Successful exploitation allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL statements into backend database queries. The vulnerability has a scope change component, meaning impact extends beyond the vulnerable component itself. Patchstack tracks this issue in its WordPress vulnerability database.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can inject SQL commands into the WordPress database through the DirectIQ Email Marketing plugin, exposing sensitive data and impacting site availability.

Affected Products

DirectIQ Email Marketing WordPress plugin (directiq-wp)
All versions from n/a through 2.0
WordPress sites running the vulnerable plugin

Discovery Timeline

2025-06-27 - CVE-2025-52829 published to NVD
2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-52829

Vulnerability Analysis

The DirectIQ Email Marketing plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command issue is classified under [CWE-89]. The plugin processes attacker-controlled parameters and concatenates them into database statements without parameterized queries or escaping.

The vulnerability is reachable over the network and requires no authentication or user interaction. The scope is changed, indicating that exploitation impacts resources beyond the plugin itself, such as the broader WordPress database. The EPSS score is 0.232%, placing it in the 46th percentile for exploit likelihood.

Root Cause

The root cause is the absence of proper input validation and prepared statements in the plugin's database access layer. User-controlled values flow directly into SQL query strings, allowing special characters such as single quotes, semicolons, and SQL keywords to alter query semantics. WordPress provides $wpdb->prepare() and placeholders for safe query construction, but the affected code paths in directiq-wp do not use them.

Attack Vector

An unauthenticated remote attacker sends crafted HTTP requests to plugin endpoints that accept user input. The injected payload modifies the underlying SQL statement to extract data, enumerate database schema, or perform UNION-based exfiltration. Because no privileges are required, any internet-facing WordPress site running the plugin is exposed.

The vendor advisory at Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability documents the affected versions. No public proof-of-concept exploit code is currently available in verified repositories.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-52829

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to DirectIQ plugin endpoints containing SQL meta-characters such as ', --, UNION SELECT, or OR 1=1
Unexpected database errors or warnings in WordPress logs referencing plugin tables
Outbound traffic from the web server to attacker-controlled hosts after suspicious request patterns
New or modified WordPress administrative accounts following plugin-related request anomalies

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server access logs for query string and POST body parameters targeting /wp-content/plugins/directiq-wp/ paths with SQL syntax
Deploy web application firewall rules that flag SQL injection patterns against WordPress plugin URLs
Correlate spikes in database query errors with HTTP requests to the plugin
Hunt for anomalous SELECT statements containing concatenated user input in MySQL slow or general query logs

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable WordPress debug logging and forward logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation
Monitor plugin file integrity to detect tampering after a successful injection
Alert on unauthenticated requests to plugin endpoints from rare geographic regions or known scanning infrastructure
Track database user query volume to identify enumeration attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-52829

Immediate Actions Required

Disable or remove the DirectIQ Email Marketing plugin until a patched version is confirmed available
Audit WordPress user accounts and database contents for signs of unauthorized changes
Rotate WordPress administrator passwords and database credentials if compromise is suspected
Restrict access to WordPress administrative interfaces using IP allowlists where feasible

Patch Information

The advisory at Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability lists affected versions through 2.0. Site operators should consult the vendor advisory for fixed version availability. If no fixed version is published, removal of the plugin is the recommended remediation.

Workarounds

Deploy a web application firewall with SQL injection signatures tuned for WordPress plugin paths
Use Patchstack or equivalent virtual patching services to block exploit traffic
Restrict the WordPress database user privileges to the minimum required for plugin operation
Block external access to the plugin endpoints at the reverse proxy layer

bash

# Example: deactivate the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate directiq-wp
wp plugin delete directiq-wp