CVE-2025-54726: JS Archive List SQL Injection Flaw

CVE-2025-54726 Overview

CVE-2025-54726 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability discovered in the JS Archive List WordPress plugin developed by Miguel Useche. This vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, allowing unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious SQL queries through the vulnerable plugin. The flaw enables attackers to potentially extract sensitive database information, modify data, or compromise the underlying WordPress installation.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this SQL Injection vulnerability remotely to access or manipulate the WordPress database, potentially compromising user credentials, site content, and sensitive configuration data.

Affected Products

• JS Archive List WordPress Plugin (versions through 6.1.6)
• WordPress installations using the jquery-archive-list-widget plugin
• Websites with the JS Archive List plugin enabled without proper input sanitization

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-08-20 - CVE-2025-54726 published to NVD
• 2025-08-20 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-54726

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) exists in the JS Archive List WordPress plugin due to improper neutralization of user-supplied input before it is incorporated into SQL queries. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting specially crafted SQL statements through vulnerable input parameters within the plugin.

The attack can be executed remotely over the network without requiring any authentication or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for WordPress sites with the vulnerable plugin installed. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to the WordPress database, enabling attackers to extract sensitive information including user credentials, configuration data, and potentially all stored content.

The vulnerability has a changed scope, meaning successful exploitation can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component itself, potentially impacting the entire WordPress installation and underlying server infrastructure.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the failure to properly sanitize and parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. The JS Archive List plugin does not adequately validate or escape special SQL characters, allowing attackers to break out of intended query contexts and inject arbitrary SQL commands.

WordPress plugins that directly concatenate user input into database queries without using prepared statements or WordPress's built-in database abstraction layer ($wpdb->prepare()) are susceptible to this type of attack.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring no authentication or user interaction. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests targeting vulnerable endpoints in the JS Archive List plugin. By including SQL metacharacters and injection payloads in request parameters, the attacker can manipulate the resulting database queries.

Typical exploitation scenarios include:

• Extracting WordPress user table data including password hashes
• Retrieving sensitive configuration values from the wp_options table
• Enumerating database structure and content across all accessible tables
• Potentially modifying or deleting database records depending on query context

For detailed technical information about the exploitation mechanism, refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-54726

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual or malformed HTTP requests containing SQL syntax (e.g., UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, single quotes) targeting JS Archive List plugin endpoints
• Database error messages in web server logs indicating SQL syntax errors
• Unexpected database queries or increased database load from web application users
• Evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized access to WordPress user accounts

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block common SQL injection patterns
• Monitor web server access logs for suspicious request parameters containing SQL keywords
• Enable WordPress database query logging and review for anomalous query patterns
• Deploy intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for SQL injection attacks
• Utilize SentinelOne's Singularity platform to detect post-exploitation activities and anomalous process behaviors

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure real-time alerting for SQL injection pattern matches in WAF and IDS logs
• Establish baseline database query patterns and alert on significant deviations
• Monitor WordPress admin panel for unauthorized login attempts or user creation
• Review database audit logs for bulk data access or extraction patterns

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-54726

Immediate Actions Required

• Identify all WordPress installations using the JS Archive List plugin (jquery-archive-list-widget)
• Disable or remove the vulnerable plugin until a patched version is available
• Implement WAF rules to block SQL injection attempts targeting the plugin
• Review web server and database logs for evidence of prior exploitation attempts
• Audit WordPress user accounts for unauthorized access or modifications

Patch Information

Organizations should check the Patchstack vulnerability database for the latest patch information and updated plugin versions. Update the JS Archive List plugin to the latest available version that addresses this SQL injection vulnerability once a patch is released by the developer.

Workarounds

• Disable the JS Archive List plugin entirely until an official patch is available
• Implement virtual patching through WAF rules to filter malicious SQL injection payloads
• Restrict access to WordPress admin and plugin functionality to trusted IP addresses only
• Consider using alternative archive list plugins that have been security audited
• Apply the principle of least privilege to WordPress database user accounts to limit potential damage from SQL injection

# WordPress CLI command to deactivate the vulnerable plugin
wp plugin deactivate jquery-archive-list-widget --path=/var/www/html/wordpress

# Verify plugin status
wp plugin list --path=/var/www/html/wordpress | grep archive-list