CVE-2025-55708 Overview
CVE-2025-55708 is a SQL injection vulnerability in the ExpressTech Systems Quiz And Survey Master plugin (quiz-master-next) for WordPress. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command [CWE-89]. It affects all plugin versions up to and including 10.2.4. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can inject crafted SQL through vulnerable plugin inputs. Successful exploitation exposes the database, modifies query logic, and can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component due to scope change. The issue carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.5 and was published to the National Vulnerability Database on August 14, 2025.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can extract confidential database contents from WordPress sites running Quiz And Survey Master <= 10.2.4 through crafted SQL payloads.
Affected Products
- ExpressTech Systems Quiz And Survey Master (quiz-master-next) WordPress plugin
- All versions from initial release through 10.2.4
- WordPress sites with the plugin installed and active
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-08-14 - CVE-2025-55708 published to NVD
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-55708
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a SQL injection classified under [CWE-89]. The Quiz And Survey Master plugin accepts user-supplied input that is concatenated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. An attacker holding a low-privileged authenticated session, such as a Subscriber or Contributor on many WordPress configurations, can submit crafted parameters that alter the structure of database queries.
The CVSS vector indicates a scope change, meaning a successful injection can affect resources beyond the plugin's own data store. This typically allows access to other tables in the WordPress database, including wp_users and wp_options, which store credential hashes and site secrets. The EPSS score at the time of analysis is 0.251% (16.116 percentile).
Root Cause
The root cause is the absence of prepared statements or proper input escaping when handling request parameters consumed by the plugin's database access layer. User-controlled values reach SQL query construction directly, allowing attackers to break out of the intended query context and append arbitrary SQL clauses such as UNION SELECT, conditional payloads, or time-based probes.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires authentication at low privilege. An attacker sends an HTTP request to a vulnerable plugin endpoint, supplying a malicious value in a parameter that is incorporated into a SQL query. No user interaction is required. Exploitation typically follows standard SQL injection patterns: error-based extraction, boolean-based blind probes, time-based blind probes, or UNION-based data retrieval. See the Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability advisory for technical references.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-55708
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected SQL keywords (UNION, SELECT, SLEEP, BENCHMARK, INFORMATION_SCHEMA) in web server access logs targeting plugin endpoints under /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php or /wp-content/plugins/quiz-master-next/.
- Anomalous database read volume or repeated queries against wp_users, wp_usermeta, and wp_options.
- HTTP requests from low-privileged authenticated sessions issuing parameters with encoded SQL metacharacters such as %27, %23, or 0x.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect WordPress and web application firewall logs for parameter values containing SQL syntax aimed at Quiz And Survey Master endpoints.
- Correlate authenticated user sessions with abnormal request patterns or sudden access to plugin AJAX actions outside normal usage.
- Enable MySQL/MariaDB general query or slow query logging temporarily to surface malformed or unusual SELECT statements originating from the plugin.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward WordPress, web server, and database logs to a centralized analytics platform and alert on SQL injection signatures.
- Track creation of new administrator accounts or modifications to wp_options values such as siteurl and admin_email.
- Monitor outbound network connections from the WordPress host that could indicate data exfiltration following a successful injection.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-55708
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Quiz And Survey Master plugin to a version newer than 10.2.4 as soon as a patched release is available from ExpressTech Systems.
- Audit WordPress user accounts and reset credentials for administrators and any low-privileged accounts that could have been abused for exploitation.
- Review the database for unauthorized rows in wp_users and unexpected changes to wp_options.
Patch Information
Refer to the Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability entry for the vendor's fix status and update guidance. Apply the vendor-provided update through the WordPress plugin updater once available.
Workarounds
- Deactivate and remove the Quiz And Survey Master plugin until a fixed version is installed if the functionality is not business-critical.
- Restrict registration and limit who can hold low-privileged roles such as Subscriber or Contributor to reduce the authenticated attack surface.
- Deploy a web application firewall ruleset that blocks SQL injection patterns targeting quiz-master-next request parameters.
# Example: disable the plugin via WP-CLI until a patch is applied
wp plugin deactivate quiz-master-next
wp plugin delete quiz-master-next
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
