CVE-2025-27281

Remediation/Mitigation Strategy for CVE-2025-27281: Blind SQL Injection in All In Menu Plugin

This document outlines the remediation and mitigation strategy for the vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-27281, affecting the All In Menu plugin version 1.1.5 and earlier.

1. Vulnerability Description:

  • Vulnerability: Blind SQL Injection
  • Affected Product: All In Menu plugin for WordPress
  • Affected Versions: Versions up to and including 1.1.5
  • Description: The All In Menu plugin suffers from an Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command (‘SQL Injection’) vulnerability. Specifically, this is a blind SQL injection vulnerability. This means the attacker does not receive direct output from the SQL query. Instead, they infer information based on the application’s response time or other side effects.

2. Severity:

  • CVSS Score: 8.5 (High)
  • Impact: A successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to potentially:
    • Read Sensitive Data: Extract data from the WordPress database, including usernames, passwords (if not properly hashed), email addresses, and other sensitive information stored within the WordPress database.
    • Modify Data: Modify data within the database, leading to website defacement, content manipulation, or unauthorized changes to user accounts.
    • Gain Administrative Access: Potentially gain administrative access to the WordPress site by manipulating user roles or creating new administrative accounts.
    • Denial of Service: Potentially cause a denial of service by injecting malicious SQL queries that overload the database server.

3. Known Exploits:

  • Given that it’s a blind SQL injection, exploitation typically involves sending a series of specially crafted requests to the vulnerable application and analyzing the responses to infer information about the database structure and data.
  • Attackers commonly use techniques like time-based blind SQL injection (observing response times to determine if a condition is true) or boolean-based blind SQL injection (observing different responses based on the truthiness of a condition).
  • While specific exploit code might not be publicly available (it’s a relatively new CVE), the general principles of blind SQL injection are well-documented, and experienced attackers can likely develop custom exploits tailored to the All In Menu plugin.

4. Remediation/Mitigation Strategy:

The primary remediation strategy is to update to a patched version of the All In Menu plugin that addresses the SQL injection vulnerability. If an update is not yet available, the following mitigation strategies should be implemented.

A. Update the Plugin (Recommended):

  • Action: Immediately update the All In Menu plugin to the latest available version as soon as a patched version is released by the plugin developer.
  • Rationale: This is the most effective way to address the vulnerability. Plugin developers typically implement proper input validation and sanitization in patched versions.
  • Monitoring: Regularly check for plugin updates and apply them promptly.

B. Short-Term Mitigation (If an Update is Not Yet Available):

  • Disable the Plugin:
    • Action: Temporarily disable the All In Menu plugin.
    • Rationale: This completely removes the vulnerable code from the website, preventing exploitation. However, it also removes the functionality provided by the plugin.
    • Considerations: Evaluate the impact of disabling the plugin on website functionality.
  • Web Application Firewall (WAF) Rules:
    • Action: Implement WAF rules to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting the plugin.
    • Rationale: A WAF can analyze incoming requests and identify malicious SQL injection patterns, blocking them before they reach the application.
    • Implementation: Configure WAF rules to look for common SQL injection keywords and patterns in the parameters used by the All In Menu plugin. Consult your WAF vendor’s documentation for specific guidance.
  • Input Sanitization (If Possible):
    • Action: If you have access to the plugin’s code and understand PHP development, implement input sanitization and parameterization to prevent SQL injection.
    • Rationale: Sanitizing input removes or encodes potentially dangerous characters before they are used in SQL queries. Parameterization separates SQL code from data, preventing attackers from injecting malicious code.
    • Caution: This requires PHP development expertise and should only be attempted if you fully understand the risks and consequences of modifying plugin code. Incorrectly implemented sanitization can lead to other vulnerabilities.

C. Long-Term Security Practices:

  • Principle of Least Privilege: Ensure that the WordPress database user account used by the plugin has only the minimum necessary privileges. Avoid granting the plugin administrative privileges if they are not required.
  • Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits of your WordPress website and plugins to identify and address vulnerabilities.
  • Stay Informed: Subscribe to security mailing lists and monitor security news sources to stay informed about WordPress and plugin vulnerabilities.
  • Use a Security Plugin: Install a reputable WordPress security plugin that provides features such as vulnerability scanning, firewall protection, and malware detection.
  • Strong Passwords: Enforce the use of strong passwords for all WordPress user accounts.

5. Testing and Verification:

  • After applying the recommended remediation or mitigation steps, thoroughly test the All In Menu plugin and your WordPress website to ensure that the vulnerability has been addressed and that the website is functioning correctly.
  • Use a vulnerability scanner or penetration testing tools to verify the effectiveness of the implemented security measures.

6. Reporting:

  • If you are a customer of the All In Menu plugin, report the vulnerability to the plugin developer.
  • If you discover other vulnerabilities, report them to the appropriate security organizations.

By following this remediation/mitigation strategy, you can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation of the SQL injection vulnerability in the All In Menu plugin. Remember to prioritize updating the plugin as soon as a patched version becomes available.

Assigner

Date

  • Published Date: 2025-03-15 21:57:04
  • Updated Date: 2025-03-15 21:57:04

More Details

CVE-2025-27281