CVE-2025-39486 in Rankie Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/17/2025
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in ValvePress Rankie allows SQL Injection. This issue affects Rankie: from n/a through n/a.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-39486 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the ValvePress Rankie application, classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands. This weakness allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL code through input fields that are not properly sanitized or validated, potentially leading to unauthorized database access and data manipulation. The vulnerability exists in the Rankie plugin for WordPress, which is widely used for ranking and statistical purposes on various websites.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization. Attackers can exploit this by submitting specially crafted input that alters the intended SQL query execution flow, potentially enabling them to extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even execute administrative commands on the underlying database system. This type of injection attack leverages the fundamental principle that SQL commands should never be constructed using untrusted input without proper validation mechanisms in place.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to websites utilizing the Rankie plugin, particularly those handling sensitive user data or business-critical information. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, data exfiltration, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the affected systems reside. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that WordPress plugins are frequently targeted due to their widespread deployment and potential for unpatched vulnerabilities. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues and reputational damage if sensitive data is compromised through such attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-39486 should prioritize immediate patching of the Rankie plugin to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability. System administrators should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase to prevent similar issues from occurring. Additionally, database access controls should be reviewed and strengthened to limit the privileges of database accounts used by the application. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and follows security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten Project for preventing injection vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses across the entire application ecosystem.