CVE-2025-54678: Easy Form Builder SQL Injection Flaw

CVE-2025-54678 Overview

CVE-2025-54678 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability discovered in the Easy Form Builder WordPress plugin developed by hassantafreshi. This vulnerability allows attackers to perform Blind SQL Injection attacks against WordPress sites using the affected plugin. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, enabling unauthenticated attackers to extract sensitive information from the database or potentially compromise the underlying system.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this Blind SQL Injection vulnerability to exfiltrate sensitive database contents, including user credentials, personal information, and other confidential data stored within WordPress databases.

Affected Products

• Easy Form Builder WordPress Plugin versions up to and including 3.8.15
• WordPress installations using the vulnerable Easy Form Builder plugin
• All sites with Easy Form Builder n/a through 3.8.15 installed

Discovery Timeline

• August 14, 2025 - CVE-2025-54678 published to NVD
• August 14, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-54678

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command). The Blind SQL Injection flaw allows attackers to interact with the database through a network-accessible attack vector without requiring any user interaction or authentication. The scope of this vulnerability is classified as changed, meaning successful exploitation can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component itself.

The attack requires low complexity to execute, making it particularly dangerous for sites running the affected plugin. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract high-value confidential information from the database, and it may also cause limited availability impact to affected systems.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-54678 lies in insufficient input validation and sanitization within the Easy Form Builder plugin. User-supplied input is passed directly into SQL queries without proper parameterization or escaping of special characters. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax that alters the intended query logic, enabling unauthorized database operations.

WordPress plugins that handle form data are particularly susceptible to SQL injection when developers fail to use prepared statements or the WordPress $wpdb->prepare() function for database interactions.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction. Attackers can craft malicious HTTP requests containing SQL injection payloads directed at vulnerable form handling endpoints within the Easy Form Builder plugin.

Since this is a Blind SQL Injection vulnerability, attackers cannot directly see the results of their injected queries. Instead, they infer information by observing differences in application behavior, response times, or error conditions. Common techniques include:

• Boolean-based blind injection: Observing different responses based on TRUE/FALSE conditions in injected queries
• Time-based blind injection: Using SQL functions like SLEEP() or BENCHMARK() to introduce measurable delays that confirm successful injection

Exploitation typically involves automated tools that systematically extract database contents character by character through these inference techniques.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-54678

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual SQL error messages or database timeout errors in WordPress logs
• Abnormally slow response times on pages utilizing Easy Form Builder forms
• Unexpected database queries containing SQL injection patterns such as SLEEP(), BENCHMARK(), UNION SELECT, or boolean logic operators
• High volume of requests to form submission endpoints from single IP addresses

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block common SQL injection patterns in form submissions
• Monitor WordPress access logs for suspicious request patterns targeting Easy Form Builder endpoints
• Implement database query logging and alert on queries containing injection signatures
• Review server logs for unusual timing patterns that may indicate time-based SQL injection attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable WordPress debug logging to capture detailed error information during the investigation period
• Configure real-time alerting for database query anomalies and elevated query execution times
• Monitor network traffic for automated scanning tools commonly used for SQL injection exploitation
• Track failed login attempts and unauthorized data access patterns in the database

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-54678

Immediate Actions Required

• Immediately update Easy Form Builder to a patched version if available from the WordPress plugin repository
• If no patch is available, consider temporarily deactivating the Easy Form Builder plugin until a security update is released
• Implement WAF rules to block SQL injection attempts targeting your WordPress installation
• Review database logs for signs of previous exploitation attempts
• Consider rotating database credentials as a precautionary measure

Patch Information

Organizations should monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for official patch availability and detailed remediation guidance. Contact the plugin developer hassantafreshi for information on security updates addressing this vulnerability.

Workarounds

• Temporarily disable the Easy Form Builder plugin if immediate patching is not possible
• Implement strict input validation rules at the web server or WAF level to filter SQL injection payloads
• Restrict database user privileges used by WordPress to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation
• Consider using alternative form builder plugins with strong security track records until this vulnerability is patched
• Enable WordPress application-level firewalls such as Wordfence or Sucuri to provide additional protection

# Configuration example - WordPress plugin deactivation via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate easy-form-builder --path=/var/www/html/wordpress

# Verify plugin status
wp plugin status easy-form-builder --path=/var/www/html/wordpress

# Check for available updates
wp plugin update easy-form-builder --dry-run --path=/var/www/html/wordpress