CVE-2025-4203 in wpForo Forum Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2025
The wpForo Forum plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to error‐based or time-based SQL Injection via the get_members() function in all versions up to, and including, 2.4.8 due to missing integer validation on the 'offset' and 'row_count' parameters. The function blindly interpolates 'row_count' into a 'LIMIT offset,row_count' clause using esc_sql() rather than enforcing numeric values. MySQL 5.x’s grammar allows a 'PROCEDURE ANALYSE' clause immediately after a LIMIT clause. Unauthenticated attackers controlling 'row_count' can append a stored‐procedure call, enabling error‐based or time‐based blind SQL injection that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2025
The wpForo Forum plugin for WordPress represents a widely deployed community platform that enables users to create and manage online forums within WordPress environments. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 2.4.8, making it a significant concern for WordPress administrators who rely on this plugin for their forum functionality. The plugin's architecture incorporates a get_members() function that handles user retrieval operations, which forms the attack surface for this particular SQL injection flaw. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the plugin's core functionality, specifically in how it processes pagination parameters for member listings. The flaw exists in the plugin's handling of the 'offset' and 'row_count' parameters, which are essential for implementing database query pagination. These parameters control the starting position and number of records returned by database queries, making them critical components in any data retrieval operation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the get_members() function where the 'row_count' parameter undergoes insufficient validation before being incorporated into database queries. The plugin utilizes esc_sql() for sanitization purposes, which is a WordPress function designed to escape SQL strings but does not enforce numeric validation for integer parameters. This function properly escapes special characters in strings but fails to ensure that numeric values remain within expected integer ranges. The vulnerability becomes exploitable because MySQL 5.x database systems accept a PROCEDURE ANALYSE clause immediately following a LIMIT clause, creating a pathway for attackers to inject malicious SQL commands. When an attacker controls the 'row_count' parameter, they can append a stored-procedure call that triggers either error-based or time-based SQL injection techniques. The error-based approach leverages database error messages to extract information from the system, while the time-based method uses query delays to infer data through timing attacks. This dual exploitation capability significantly increases the attack surface and potential impact of the vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data extraction, as unauthenticated attackers can leverage the SQL injection to gain unauthorized access to sensitive database information. The vulnerability affects database integrity and confidentiality, potentially exposing user credentials, personal information, forum content, and other sensitive data stored within the WordPress installation. Attackers can use the injection to enumerate database structures, extract user accounts with their associated privileges, and potentially escalate their access to higher-privilege accounts. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires no authentication, meaning that any user with access to the affected WordPress site can exploit the flaw. The time-based nature of the attack allows for stealthy information gathering without immediate detection, while error-based techniques provide more direct data extraction capabilities. This vulnerability directly violates security principles of input validation and proper database query construction, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly until patched.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations to protect against this vulnerability, including applying the latest plugin updates from the vendor or implementing temporary workarounds. The recommended approach involves enforcing strict integer validation on the 'offset' and 'row_count' parameters before they are processed in database queries. Security measures should include implementing proper input sanitization that specifically validates numeric parameters and rejects non-integer values. The use of prepared statements with parameterized queries should be implemented to prevent direct interpolation of user-supplied values into SQL commands. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring for suspicious query patterns. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which addresses SQL injection flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol, specifically targeting web application vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and input validation reviews should be conducted to identify similar patterns in other plugin components, as this represents a common anti-pattern in web application development where insufficient parameter validation leads to critical security flaws. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the risks associated with relying solely on string escaping functions for numeric parameters.