CVE-2019-25222 in Thumbnail Carousel Slider Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/15/2025
The Thumbnail carousel slider plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the 'id' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.4 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-25222 affects the Thumbnail carousel slider plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 1.0.4. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes the WordPress installation to unauthorized data access through SQL injection techniques. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the plugin's handling of user-supplied parameters, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors seeking to compromise the underlying database infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests through the 'id' parameter which lacks proper escaping and preparation before being incorporated into SQL queries. This parameter is directly used in database operations without appropriate sanitization measures, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed within the context of the existing database query. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper validation or escaping mechanisms.
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone accessing the affected WordPress site. The attack vector enables the execution of arbitrary SQL commands that can extract sensitive information from the database including user credentials, personal data, and other confidential information stored within the WordPress installation. This unauthenticated access capability significantly amplifies the potential impact of the vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data extraction, as it can potentially allow attackers to modify or delete database contents, escalate privileges, or even gain full control over the WordPress installation. The lack of proper input validation creates a persistent threat that remains active until the plugin is updated or the vulnerability is patched. Organizations running affected versions face immediate risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability, as well as implementing additional security measures such as input validation, parameterized queries, and database access controls. Security professionals should also consider implementing web application firewalls, monitoring database activities for suspicious queries, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other plugins or components of the WordPress ecosystem. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security practices in plugin development and the necessity of thorough code review processes to prevent such critical flaws from reaching production environments. This case demonstrates how seemingly minor input handling issues can create significant security risks in content management systems where plugins often have extensive database access privileges.