CVE-2025-26974

Remediation/Mitigation Strategy for CVE-2025-26974: Blind SQL Injection in WP Multi Store Locator

This document outlines the vulnerability, severity, known exploits, and recommended remediation and mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-26974, a Blind SQL Injection vulnerability found in the WP Multi Store Locator plugin for WordPress.

1. Vulnerability Description

  • Vulnerability: Blind SQL Injection
  • Affected Product: WPExperts.io WP Multi Store Locator plugin
  • Affected Versions: Versions up to and including 2.5.1
  • Description: The WP Multi Store Locator plugin is vulnerable to Blind SQL Injection due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command. This allows an attacker to potentially inject malicious SQL code, even without seeing the direct output of the query. The vulnerability is triggered by specific input parameters within the plugin, allowing an attacker to manipulate database queries.

2. Severity Assessment

  • CVSS Score: 9.3 (Critical)
  • CVSS Vector: Based on the provided data, the CVSS vector likely incorporates network attack vector, high attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, high confidentiality impact, high integrity impact, and high availability impact.
  • Severity: Critical
  • Explanation: A CVSS score of 9.3 indicates a critical severity. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to:
    • Complete loss of confidentiality: Attackers can potentially access sensitive data stored in the database, including user credentials, personal information, business data, and more.
    • Complete loss of integrity: Attackers can modify or delete data in the database, leading to data corruption, defacement, or other malicious actions.
    • Complete loss of availability: Attackers can disrupt the website’s functionality or completely take it offline.

3. Known Exploits

While the data doesn’t explicitly state a confirmed exploit, the “created” status suggests that analysis has been completed, and the existence of the CVE ID indicates that the vulnerability has been publicly disclosed. Given the critical severity and the nature of SQL Injection, it’s highly likely that:

  • Proof-of-Concept (PoC) exploits are likely to be developed and/or publicly available soon.
  • Attackers may be actively attempting to exploit this vulnerability in the wild.

The risk of exploitation is therefore high. Due to the nature of blind SQL injection it might be harder to detect an ongoing attack but is certainly possible.

4. Remediation Strategy

The primary goal is to eliminate the vulnerability.

  • Immediate Action:

    • Update to a patched version (if available): Check the WPExperts.io website or the WordPress plugin repository for an updated version of the WP Multi Store Locator plugin that addresses this vulnerability. This is the most effective solution.

  • If an update is available:

    1. Backup the Database: Before updating, create a complete backup of your WordPress database. This will allow you to restore your site if any issues arise during the update process.
    2. Update the Plugin: Update the WP Multi Store Locator plugin through the WordPress admin dashboard or manually by replacing the plugin files.
    3. Verify the Update: After the update, thoroughly test the plugin’s functionality to ensure that it is working as expected and that the vulnerability has been resolved. Review plugin change logs.

  • If an update is NOT yet available: (Mitigation required - See below)

5. Mitigation Strategy (If a Patch is Unavailable)

If a patched version of the plugin is not yet available, implement the following mitigation measures to reduce the risk of exploitation. These are not substitutes for patching and should only be considered temporary solutions.

  • Web Application Firewall (WAF):
    • Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) and configure it with rulesets designed to detect and block SQL injection attempts.
    • Ensure the WAF is actively updated with the latest signature updates to protect against emerging threats. Consider ModSecurity with OWASP Core Rule Set.
    • Configure WAF to aggressively block requests that contain suspicious SQL syntax or patterns.
  • Input Validation:
    • Even without access to the plugin’s code, you can use server-side scripting (e.g., .htaccess or server configuration) or WAF rules to perform strict input validation on parameters used by the WP Multi Store Locator plugin.
    • Sanitize and validate all user inputs, especially those related to search filters, location parameters, or any other data that might be used in database queries.
    • Specifically, examine the requests made to the plugin and identify the parameters it uses, and then look for signs of SQL injection in those parameters.
    • Enforce strict data types and lengths.
  • Database Access Control:
    • Review the database user account used by the WP Multi Store Locator plugin.
    • Grant the database user only the minimum necessary privileges required for the plugin to function correctly. Avoid granting unnecessary permissions such as CREATE, DROP, or ALTER.
    • Consider restricting the database user’s access to only the specific tables required by the plugin.
  • Monitor and Alert:
    • Implement robust monitoring and alerting systems to detect suspicious activity on your website.
    • Monitor web server logs for SQL injection attempts, unusual database queries, or other anomalous behavior.
    • Set up alerts to notify administrators immediately of any potential security incidents.
  • Disable the Plugin:
    • As a last resort, if the risk is deemed too high and no other mitigation is effective, consider temporarily disabling the WP Multi Store Locator plugin until a patch becomes available. This will prevent the vulnerability from being exploited but will also remove the plugin’s functionality from your website.

6. Communication

  • Notify WPExperts.io: If possible, notify the plugin developer (WPExperts.io) of the vulnerability if they are not already aware. This will encourage them to release a patch quickly.
  • Inform Users: If you have users who are using the WP Multi Store Locator plugin, inform them of the vulnerability and advise them to take appropriate steps to protect their websites.

7. Timeline

  • Immediate: Identify all instances of the WP Multi Store Locator plugin in use.
  • Within 24 hours: Implement mitigation strategies (WAF rules, input validation) if a patch is not immediately available.
  • Within 48 hours: Update the plugin to the latest patched version (if available) across all instances. Verify the update.
  • Ongoing: Monitor for exploitation attempts and stay informed about updates from WPExperts.io.

8. Long-Term Security Practices

  • Keep Software Updated: Regularly update WordPress, themes, and plugins to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
  • Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits of your WordPress website to identify potential vulnerabilities.
  • Principle of Least Privilege: Grant users and applications only the minimum necessary privileges.
  • Security Training: Provide security training to website administrators and developers to raise awareness of security threats and best practices.

This strategy is based on the information provided and aims to reduce the risk posed by CVE-2025-26974. It is recommended to adapt this strategy to your specific environment and security requirements. Continuously monitor for updates and new information about this vulnerability and adjust your approach accordingly.

Assigner

Date

  • Published Date: 2025-02-25 14:17:58
  • Updated Date: 2025-02-25 15:15:30

More Details

CVE-2025-26974