CVE-2025-54707: MDTF Plugin SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2025-54707 Overview

CVE-2025-54707 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the RealMag777 MDTF (Meta Data & Taxonomy Filter) WordPress plugin. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the WordPress database through improper neutralization of special elements in SQL queries. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command).

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this SQL Injection vulnerability to extract sensitive data from WordPress databases, potentially compromising user credentials, personal information, and complete site takeover.

Affected Products

• MDTF (Meta Data & Taxonomy Filter) WordPress Plugin versions through 1.3.3.7
• WordPress installations using the vulnerable MDTF plugin
• Sites using the wp-meta-data-filter-and-taxonomy-filter plugin

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-08-14 - CVE-2025-54707 published to NVD
• 2025-08-14 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-54707

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL Injection vulnerability exists in the MDTF WordPress plugin due to improper input sanitization. The plugin fails to adequately neutralize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL statements. This flaw enables network-based attacks without requiring authentication, and the scope change indicator suggests that exploitation can impact resources beyond the vulnerable component itself. The primary impact is on data confidentiality, with potential for complete database extraction, while also introducing some availability concerns.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-54707 is the failure to properly sanitize and escape user-controlled input before using it in database queries. The MDTF plugin processes filter parameters without adequate validation, allowing SQL metacharacters to be interpreted as part of the SQL command structure rather than as literal data values. This violates secure coding principles that require parameterized queries or proper escaping of all user input before database operations.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring no authentication or user interaction. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests containing SQL injection payloads targeting the vulnerable filter functionality. The plugin processes these requests and incorporates the malicious input directly into SQL queries, allowing the attacker to:

• Extract sensitive data from the WordPress database including user credentials
• Enumerate database structure and table contents
• Potentially modify or delete database records
• Escalate the attack to gain administrative access to the WordPress site

The vulnerability is exploitable through standard HTTP requests to the WordPress site, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the target web application.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-54707

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual database query patterns in MySQL/MariaDB logs containing SQL injection payloads
• HTTP requests to WordPress endpoints with suspicious URL parameters containing SQL metacharacters (single quotes, UNION, SELECT, etc.)
• Unexpected database errors or slow query logs indicating time-based SQL injection attempts
• Evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized database access in access logs

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns in HTTP requests
• Monitor WordPress database logs for anomalous query patterns or unauthorized SELECT statements
• Deploy intrusion detection signatures targeting common SQL injection payloads
• Enable WordPress security plugins with SQL injection detection capabilities

Monitoring Recommendations

• Review web server access logs for requests containing SQL injection signatures targeting MDTF plugin endpoints
• Configure database audit logging to track all queries executed against WordPress tables
• Set up alerts for failed query attempts or SQL syntax errors that may indicate injection attempts
• Monitor for unusual data access patterns or large result set queries from the web application

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-54707

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the MDTF plugin to a patched version immediately if available
• Temporarily disable the MDTF plugin if no patch is available until a fix is released
• Implement WAF rules to block SQL injection attempts targeting WordPress
• Review database access logs for evidence of prior exploitation
• Consider password resets for all WordPress users if compromise is suspected

Patch Information

Organizations using the MDTF WordPress plugin should check for updated versions through the WordPress plugin repository or monitor the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Advisory for remediation guidance. All versions through 1.3.3.7 are confirmed vulnerable and should be updated as soon as a patch becomes available.

Workarounds

• Disable the MDTF plugin entirely if immediate patching is not possible
• Implement strict input validation at the web application firewall level to filter SQL metacharacters
• Restrict database user privileges for the WordPress application to limit potential damage
• Consider using a security plugin that provides virtual patching for known vulnerabilities

# WordPress CLI command to disable vulnerable plugin
wp plugin deactivate wp-meta-data-filter-and-taxonomy-filter

# Verify plugin is disabled
wp plugin list --status=inactive

# Check for available updates
wp plugin update --all --dry-run