CVE-2025-58881 Overview
CVE-2025-58881 is a blind SQL injection vulnerability in the gopiplus New Simple Gallery WordPress plugin. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 8.0. It is classified under CWE-89, Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. Authenticated attackers with low privileges can inject SQL statements through unsanitized input handled by the plugin. Because the issue carries a scope change, exploitation can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component itself. Patchstack tracks the issue in its SQL Injection Advisory for the plugin.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can extract sensitive data from the WordPress database, including user credentials and configuration secrets, through blind SQL injection.
Affected Products
- gopiplus New Simple Gallery WordPress plugin versions up to and including 8.0
- WordPress sites running the new-simple-gallery plugin
- All hosting environments where the vulnerable plugin is installed and active
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-09-05 - CVE-2025-58881 published to NVD
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-58881
Vulnerability Analysis
The New Simple Gallery plugin fails to neutralize special characters in user-supplied input before incorporating that input into SQL queries. The plugin concatenates request parameters directly into database statements rather than using parameterized queries or properly escaping values with wpdb::prepare(). The vulnerability is exploitable over the network and requires only low-privileged authentication, such as a Subscriber-level WordPress account. No user interaction is required, and the scope is changed because the injected SQL executes against the shared WordPress database that backs other plugins and the core CMS. The result is a blind SQL injection, where attackers infer database contents through boolean-based or time-based response differences rather than receiving direct output.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command [CWE-89]. The plugin trusts request parameters and passes them into queries without applying type casting, allow-lists, or prepared statements. Any single tainted code path is sufficient to compromise the integrity of the entire query.
Attack Vector
An authenticated attacker submits crafted parameters to a vulnerable plugin endpoint. The injected payload alters the query logic, allowing the attacker to enumerate tables, exfiltrate row data, or read arbitrary database values. Because the channel is blind, attackers typically use conditional SLEEP() or boolean comparison techniques to extract data one bit at a time.
No verified public exploit code is available. See the Patchstack SQL Injection Advisory for technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-58881
Indicators of Compromise
- Web server access logs containing SQL meta-characters such as ', UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, BENCHMARK(, or INFORMATION_SCHEMA in parameters bound for new-simple-gallery endpoints
- Unusually long response times on requests to the plugin, consistent with time-based blind injection
- Repeated authenticated requests to plugin URLs from a single low-privileged account
- New or unexpected database errors logged by wpdb or visible in PHP error logs
Detection Strategies
- Inspect WordPress and reverse-proxy logs for parameter values targeting new-simple-gallery paths with SQL syntax patterns
- Enable MySQL general or slow query logs and alert on queries containing tautologies, UNION, or sleep functions originating from the plugin
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall ruleset that flags SQL injection signatures against /wp-admin/admin.php and plugin AJAX endpoints
Monitoring Recommendations
- Track failed and anomalous query patterns tied to the wp_ prefixed tables used by the plugin
- Monitor creation of new administrator accounts or unexpected changes to the wp_users and wp_usermeta tables
- Alert when low-privileged accounts issue high volumes of authenticated requests to plugin endpoints
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-58881
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate and remove the New Simple Gallery plugin on sites running version 8.0 or earlier until a fixed release is confirmed
- Restrict registration and audit existing low-privileged WordPress accounts that could exploit the issue
- Rotate WordPress administrator passwords and any secrets stored in wp_options after confirming no compromise occurred
- Apply virtual patching at the WAF layer to block SQL injection patterns targeting the plugin
Patch Information
At the time of writing, the Patchstack advisory lists the vulnerability as affecting versions up to and including 8.0. Administrators should consult the WordPress plugin repository and the Patchstack entry for current fix status and upgrade to the latest available release.
Workarounds
- Remove or disable the new-simple-gallery plugin until an updated version is installed
- Block access to plugin endpoints with web server rules where the plugin is required but cannot be removed
- Enforce least-privilege roles and disable open user registration to reduce the pool of accounts able to authenticate
# Configuration example: disable the plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate new-simple-gallery
wp plugin delete new-simple-gallery
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
