CVE-2025-13417 in Plugin Organizer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/29/2025
The Plugin Organizer WordPress plugin before 10.2.4 does not sanitize and escape a parameter before using it in a SQL statement, allowing subscribers to perform SQL injection attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-13417 affects the Plugin Organizer WordPress plugin version 10.2.3 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk that stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization practices. This flaw exists within the plugin's handling of user-supplied parameters that are subsequently incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's SQL statement construction process where a parameter is directly used in database operations without adequate protection against malicious input. Attackers exploiting this weakness can manipulate the SQL query execution flow by injecting malicious SQL code through the vulnerable parameter, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The issue is particularly concerning because it allows users with subscriber-level privileges to execute SQL injection attacks, which typically require higher privilege levels such as administrator access. This vulnerability represents a classic case of inadequate input sanitization that violates fundamental security principles and can be classified under CWE-89 SQL Injection according to the Common Weakness Enumeration standards. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a SQL Injection technique under the T1190 category, which involves the exploitation of applications that do not properly validate or escape user input before using it in database queries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a subscriber user interacts with the plugin's functionality that accepts user input for database operations. The parameter in question is not properly sanitized or escaped before being incorporated into the SQL statement, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious SQL code. This injection can potentially bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data from the database, modify existing records, or even delete critical information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the database level where the attacker can gain access to all data stored in the WordPress database, including user credentials, posts, pages, and plugin configurations. The SQL injection vector likely occurs in a function that processes user requests related to plugin management or organization features, where the vulnerable parameter is directly concatenated into a SQL query without proper parameterization or escaping. This flaw demonstrates a critical failure in the principle of least privilege and input validation, where the plugin fails to implement proper database query protection mechanisms that are standard practice in secure software development.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-13417 extends beyond simple data compromise to potentially enable complete system takeover by malicious subscribers who can leverage this vulnerability to escalate their privileges or extract sensitive information. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain access to user credentials, which may include administrator accounts with elevated privileges, thereby allowing them to fully compromise the WordPress installation. The vulnerability also poses a risk to data integrity as attackers can modify or delete critical content, potentially causing service disruption or data loss. Organizations running affected versions of the Plugin Organizer plugin face significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and potential regulatory compliance violations, especially in environments where personal or sensitive data is stored. The impact is particularly severe for WordPress installations where the plugin is widely used and where subscriber accounts may be accessible to untrusted users. Additionally, the vulnerability may facilitate further attacks on the broader system by providing attackers with database access that could be used to identify other system vulnerabilities or extract additional sensitive information. This SQL injection vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly until the plugin is updated to version 10.2.4 or later, which implements proper parameter sanitization and escaping mechanisms.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate updating of the Plugin Organizer plugin to version 10.2.4 or later, which addresses the SQL injection vulnerability through proper input sanitization and parameter escaping. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular vulnerability scanning, monitoring for suspicious database activity, and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block potential SQL injection attempts. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify other potentially vulnerable plugins or components that may exhibit similar weaknesses. The implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries should be enforced across all database interactions within the WordPress environment, following security best practices established by organizations such as the Open Web Application Security Project. Additionally, access controls should be reviewed to ensure that only authorized users have access to plugin management functions, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the broader WordPress ecosystem. Network segmentation and database access controls should also be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, and incident response procedures should be established to quickly detect and respond to any exploitation attempts against the vulnerable system.