CVE-2025-6348 Overview
CVE-2025-6348 is a time-based SQL injection vulnerability in the Smart Slider 3 plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects all plugin versions up to and including 3.5.1.28. The vulnerability resides in the handling of the sliderid parameter, which lacks sufficient escaping and prepared statement usage. Authenticated attackers with Administrator-level privileges can append arbitrary SQL to existing queries. Successful exploitation allows extraction of sensitive data from the WordPress database, including user credentials and session information. The weakness is classified under CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command.
Critical Impact
Authenticated administrators can exfiltrate sensitive database contents through time-based SQL injection targeting the sliderid parameter.
Affected Products
- Smart Slider 3 plugin for WordPress, all versions up to and including 3.5.1.28
- WordPress installations with the vulnerable plugin active
- Multisite WordPress environments where administrators manage sliders
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-07-30 - CVE-2025-6348 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-6348
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from improper handling of the sliderid parameter in the Smart Slider 3 plugin. The plugin concatenates the user-supplied value directly into an SQL query without parameterized statements or adequate escaping. This allows an attacker to inject additional SQL fragments that the database executes.
Because the injection point does not return query results in the HTTP response, exploitation relies on time-based inference. Attackers use SQL functions such as SLEEP() or BENCHMARK() to measure response delays and extract data byte by byte. The attack requires Administrator-level authentication, which limits the exposed population to users already holding privileged WordPress roles.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient input sanitization combined with absent SQL preparation. The plugin accepts the sliderid value from an authenticated request and incorporates it into a query string without binding it as a parameter. The upstream fix introduces proper preparation of the affected query.
Attack Vector
An authenticated administrator submits a crafted sliderid parameter containing conditional time-delay payloads. The database executes the appended SQL, and the attacker observes response latency to confirm boolean conditions. Iterating this process allows systematic extraction of table data such as wp_users password hashes, API tokens, and session information. The attack occurs over the network against the WordPress admin interface and does not require user interaction beyond the attacker's own authenticated session.
See the Wordfence vulnerability report for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-6348
Indicators of Compromise
- Administrator-initiated requests to Smart Slider 3 endpoints containing SLEEP(, BENCHMARK(, WAITFOR DELAY, or UNION-based payloads in the sliderid parameter
- Abnormally slow responses from admin.php or admin-ajax.php requests referencing the plugin
- Repeated authenticated requests from the same session issuing minor variations of the sliderid value
- Unexpected outbound connections or data exports following administrator plugin interactions
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server and WordPress access logs for sliderid values containing SQL keywords or encoded delay functions
- Enable WordPress query logging and alert on long-running queries originating from Smart Slider 3 handlers
- Deploy a web application firewall ruleset that blocks SQL metacharacters in sliderid requests
- Correlate administrator login events with subsequent anomalous database read volume
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor MySQL slow query logs for queries containing conditional time-delay functions tied to plugin tables
- Track administrator account activity for off-hours use or atypical IP addresses
- Alert on bulk reads of the wp_users and wp_usermeta tables outside of normal backup windows
- Review plugin audit logs for repeated edits or previews involving the same slider identifier
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-6348
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Smart Slider 3 to a version newer than 3.5.1.28 that incorporates the fix from changeset 3332052
- Audit WordPress administrator accounts and remove unused or stale privileged users
- Rotate credentials, API keys, and session secrets if administrator accounts show signs of compromise
- Enforce multi-factor authentication for all accounts with Administrator or Super Admin roles
Patch Information
The maintainers resolved the issue in the Smart Slider 3 plugin repository through WordPress plugin changeset 3332052. The fix adds proper SQL preparation to the affected query path, eliminating the injection sink on the sliderid parameter. Site operators should install the patched release through the WordPress plugin manager or deploy it via automation.
Workarounds
- Restrict Administrator access to a small, monitored set of accounts until the plugin is updated
- Place the /wp-admin/ interface behind a VPN or IP allowlist to limit exposure
- Deploy WAF rules that block SQL keywords and delay functions in the sliderid parameter
- Temporarily deactivate the Smart Slider 3 plugin on sites where immediate patching is not possible
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
