CVE-2025-53468 Overview
CVE-2025-53468 is a SQL Injection vulnerability in the WP Tabber Widget plugin for WordPress, developed by gopiplus@hotmail.com. The flaw affects all plugin versions up to and including 4.0. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands [CWE-89]. Authenticated attackers with low privileges can inject malicious SQL statements through the affected parameter. Successful exploitation allows attackers to read sensitive database contents and impact application availability across a changed security scope.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary SQL queries against the WordPress database, leading to disclosure of confidential data such as user credentials, session tokens, and post metadata.
Affected Products
- WP Tabber Widget WordPress plugin versions through 4.0
- WordPress sites using the wp-tabber-widget plugin by gopiplus
- All deployments where the plugin remains active and unpatched
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-09-22 - CVE-2025-53468 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in the NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-53468
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the WP Tabber Widget plugin, which renders tabbed content widgets inside WordPress pages. The plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before passing it into SQL queries. This flaw is categorized as Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command [CWE-89]. An attacker with at least subscriber-level WordPress access can inject crafted SQL syntax through the vulnerable parameter. The injected payload is concatenated into a backend query and executed by the WordPress database layer. The EPSS score is 0.348%, placing it in the 26.7th percentile of likelihood of exploitation.
Root Cause
The plugin constructs SQL queries using raw user input without applying parameterized statements or escaping helpers such as WordPress's $wpdb->prepare(). Input arriving through plugin request handlers reaches database functions without validation. This allows attacker-controlled values to alter the structure of executed SQL statements.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires low-privilege authentication. No user interaction is required. An authenticated user submits a crafted HTTP request containing SQL metacharacters in a parameter consumed by the plugin. The malicious input is passed unescaped into a database query, where it can extract data via UNION SELECT or boolean-based blind injection. The scope is changed because successful injection exposes data managed outside the plugin, such as the WordPress wp_users table containing password hashes.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. Refer to the Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability advisory for technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-53468
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to WordPress endpoints containing SQL metacharacters such as UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, BENCHMARK(, or ' OR 1=1-- targeting WP Tabber Widget parameters
- Anomalous wpdb query errors in PHP logs referencing the wp-tabber-widget plugin
- Unexpected reads from the wp_users or wp_options tables originating from authenticated low-privilege sessions
- Outbound data exfiltration patterns following requests to plugin admin-ajax endpoints
Detection Strategies
- Inspect WordPress access logs for requests to wp-tabber-widget paths containing URL-encoded SQL syntax
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection signatures aligned to OWASP CRS rules
- Enable MySQL general query logging temporarily to identify malformed or unusually long queries originating from the plugin
- Correlate authenticated subscriber-level sessions with database errors to surface injection attempts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward WordPress, PHP-FPM, and MySQL logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation
- Alert on spikes in HTTP 500 responses tied to plugin endpoints, which often accompany blind SQL injection probing
- Monitor for new administrator accounts or unexpected changes to wp_users immediately following plugin requests
- Track plugin version inventory across WordPress fleets to confirm patch coverage
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-53468
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate the WP Tabber Widget plugin until a vendor-supplied patch above version 4.0 is available and installed
- Audit WordPress user accounts and rotate credentials for any account that may have been compromised
- Apply WAF virtual patching rules to block SQL injection patterns targeting wp-tabber-widget request parameters
- Review database query logs for evidence of prior exploitation
Patch Information
At the time of NVD publication, the advisory lists affected versions through <= 4.0. Consult the Patchstack advisory for the current fixed version and upgrade instructions. Update the plugin through the WordPress admin dashboard or via WP-CLI once a patched release is published.
Workarounds
- Restrict WordPress registration and remove unused subscriber-level accounts to reduce the authenticated attack surface
- Place the WordPress instance behind a WAF configured to block requests containing SQL metacharacters in plugin parameters
- Apply least-privilege database credentials so the WordPress MySQL user cannot read tables outside the WordPress schema
- Replace WP Tabber Widget with an actively maintained alternative tab widget if upgrading is not feasible
# Disable the vulnerable plugin using WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate wp-tabber-widget
wp plugin delete wp-tabber-widget
# Verify removal
wp plugin list --status=active | grep -i tabber
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
