CVE-2025-53219: WP-Database-Optimizer-Tools CSRF Vulnerability

CVE-2025-53219 Overview

CVE-2025-53219 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability affecting the WP-Database-Optimizer-Tools WordPress plugin by pl4g4. The flaw impacts all plugin versions up to and including 0.2. An attacker can trick an authenticated WordPress user into submitting a forged request that performs database optimizer actions without the user's consent. Exploitation requires user interaction, typically through a malicious link or webpage. The weakness is tracked under CWE-352 and impacts integrity and availability of the affected site's database operations.

Critical Impact
Attackers can coerce authenticated administrators into triggering unintended database optimization actions, potentially disrupting site availability and modifying stored data.

Affected Products

pl4g4 WP-Database-Optimizer-Tools WordPress plugin versions through 0.2
WordPress installations with the vulnerable plugin activated
No fixed version currently listed by the vendor

Discovery Timeline

2025-08-14 - CVE-2025-53219 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-53219

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from missing anti-CSRF protections in the WP-Database-Optimizer-Tools plugin. State-changing actions exposed by the plugin do not validate a WordPress nonce or verify the origin of incoming requests. An attacker who lures a logged-in administrator to a malicious page can cause the browser to submit an authenticated request to the vulnerable endpoint. The plugin then processes the request as if it originated from a legitimate user action.

The attack requires user interaction, matching the CSRF class of attacks. The impact is limited to actions the targeted user is authorized to perform, but since the plugin operates on database records, forged requests can trigger optimization or cleanup operations. This can degrade site integrity and availability without granting the attacker direct code execution.

Root Cause

The root cause is the absence of nonce validation and referer checks on privileged plugin actions. WordPress provides wp_nonce_field() and check_admin_referer() primitives to mitigate CSRF, but the affected plugin does not apply them consistently on its request handlers. This leaves the endpoints reachable through cross-origin forged submissions.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker hosts a crafted HTML page containing a hidden form or image tag targeting the vulnerable plugin endpoint on the victim's WordPress site. When the authenticated administrator visits the attacker-controlled page, the browser automatically includes valid session cookies, and the plugin executes the requested action.

See the Patchstack CSRF Vulnerability Report for the vendor-tracked technical writeup.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-53219

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected database optimization or cleanup entries in WordPress activity logs originating from admin sessions without matching admin UI navigation
HTTP POST requests to WP-Database-Optimizer-Tools plugin endpoints with Referer headers pointing to external, untrusted domains
Admin actions executed shortly after the administrator visited external links or opened untrusted email content

Detection Strategies

Inspect webserver access logs for requests to plugin action endpoints lacking a valid _wpnonce parameter
Correlate WordPress user session activity with browser referer data to identify cross-origin triggered actions
Enable and audit WordPress activity logging plugins to record plugin configuration changes and database operations

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor for anomalous administrator behavior, such as configuration changes performed outside typical working hours
Alert on external Referer headers accessing wp-admin endpoints associated with the plugin
Track plugin file changes and unexpected scheduled task creation on the WordPress host

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-53219

Immediate Actions Required

Deactivate and remove the WP-Database-Optimizer-Tools plugin until a patched version is released by the maintainer
Restrict administrator access to trusted networks and enforce browser isolation for privileged users
Require re-authentication for sensitive WordPress admin actions using a security plugin that enforces nonces or step-up authentication

Patch Information

No official patch is currently listed in the NVD entry. The vulnerability affects all versions through 0.2. Administrators should consult the Patchstack advisory for updated remediation guidance and replace the plugin with a maintained alternative if no fix becomes available.

Workarounds

Uninstall the plugin and use a maintained database maintenance tool that enforces WordPress nonces on state-changing requests
Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule that blocks cross-origin POST requests to the plugin's admin endpoints
Enforce SameSite=Lax or SameSite=Strict on the WordPress session cookie to reduce cross-origin request exposure

bash

# Example WAF rule concept: block cross-origin POSTs to the plugin endpoint
# ModSecurity pseudo-rule
SecRule REQUEST_METHOD "@streq POST" \
  "chain,deny,status:403,id:1005321901,msg:'CSRF block: WP-Database-Optimizer-Tools'"
  SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains wp-database-optimizer-tools" \
    "chain"
    SecRule REQUEST_HEADERS:Referer "!@beginsWith https://your-wordpress-site.example/"