CVE-2025-9172 in Vibes Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2025
The Vibes plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to time-based SQL Injection via the ‘resource’ parameter in all versions up to, and including, 2.2.0 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 • 08/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-9172 affects the Vibes plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 2.2.0. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress installations utilizing this particular plugin. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization practices within the plugin's codebase, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters.
The technical flaw manifests through the 'resource' parameter which fails to implement proper escaping mechanisms for user-supplied input. This parameter is directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate preparation or parameterization, creating a classic time-based SQL injection vulnerability. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where insufficient escaping allows attackers to manipulate database operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that, when processed through the vulnerable parameter, cause the database to execute unintended SQL commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables unauthenticated attackers to perform data extraction operations from the affected WordPress database. The time-based nature of the injection means that attackers can infer database contents through response timing variations, making it particularly dangerous as it doesn't require direct output display. This vulnerability allows for the potential extraction of sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and administrative access details that could compromise the entire WordPress installation. The lack of authentication requirements makes this attack vector particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to exploit vulnerable systems.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability, as well as implementing proper input validation and parameterization techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and prepared statement usage in database interactions, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege for database connections and regular security audits can help reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in the event of exploitation.