CVE-2025-53468 in Wp Tabber Widget Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/22/2025
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in [email protected] Wp tabber widget allows SQL Injection. This issue affects Wp tabber widget: from n/a through 4.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-53468 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the wp tabber widget plugin developed by [email protected]. This weakness resides in the improper neutralization of special elements within SQL commands, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute unauthorized database operations. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the wp tabber widget plugin ranging from the initial release through version 4.0, indicating a broad scope of affected installations that could potentially expose numerous wordpress websites to attack. The flaw manifests when user input containing special SQL characters is not properly sanitized or escaped before being incorporated into database queries, allowing attackers to manipulate the intended query structure and potentially extract, modify, or delete sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a direct result of insufficient input validation and sanitization. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious SQL payloads through parameters that are processed by the wp tabber widget, particularly when the plugin handles user-provided data in its database operations. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, where the plugin fails to properly escape or parameterize user inputs before incorporating them into SQL statements. This allows for the execution of arbitrary SQL commands that could bypass authentication mechanisms, access confidential information, or even compromise the entire database system. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the plugin is designed to handle tabbed content, which often includes user-generated data that could be leveraged for injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a fundamental security failure that could enable complete database compromise. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the wordpress database, including user credentials, personal data, and administrative configurations. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no elevated privileges to exploit, making it accessible to anyone who can interact with the wp tabber widget functionality. This vulnerability could facilitate privilege escalation attacks, data exfiltration, and even serve as a foothold for further lateral movement within compromised networks. The persistent nature of the flaw across multiple versions suggests that organizations using this plugin may have been exposed to risk for an extended period, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent backdoors or conduct long-term reconnaissance activities.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to the latest version of the wp tabber widget plugin where available, or applying custom patches that properly sanitize all user inputs before database processing. The implementation of parameterized queries and proper input validation should be enforced throughout the plugin codebase to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and network segmentation should be considered to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their wordpress installations to identify other potential SQL injection vulnerabilities within their plugin ecosystem. The remediation process should also include regular security audits and vulnerability scanning to ensure that similar weaknesses are not present in other components of the web application stack, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization and proper database query construction in maintaining application security.