CVE-2025-22351 describes an SQL injection vulnerability in the penguinarts Contact Form 7 Database – CFDB7. This issue allows attackers to manipulate database queries through improperly neutralized special elements in SQL commands. The vulnerability is classified as high severity, with a CVSS score of 7.6, indicating a serious risk to organizations if exploited.
The SQL injection vulnerability poses a significant threat as it can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, potentially compromising confidentiality. Attackers may leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary SQL queries, manipulate database contents, or extract sensitive information. Organizations utilizing this plugin should prioritize addressing this vulnerability due to its potential impact.
Currently, there is no known public exploit for this vulnerability, and it has not been actively exploited in the wild. However, given its high severity and the fundamental nature of SQL injections, organizations should be proactive in their remediation efforts.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate potential risks associated with this vulnerability. It is crucial to stay informed about the ongoing updates from the vendor and monitor any developments regarding the exploitation of this issue.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-2025-22351 is characterized by improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, leading to SQL injection vulnerabilities in the Contact Form 7 Database – CFDB7 plugin. Specifically, the vulnerability affects versions up to and including 1.0.0.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.6, classified as high severity, indicating a substantial risk if exploited. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity required to exploit the vulnerability, highlighting the importance of immediate action.
The vulnerability is associated with CWE-89, which categorizes it as an SQL injection issue. Organizations should review their implementation of the affected plugin and consider the risks associated with its use.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the failure to properly sanitize user input that interacts with the SQL database. This oversight allows attackers to inject malicious SQL statements, potentially gaining unauthorized access to database contents.
The attack vector is primarily network-based, meaning that an attacker can exploit the vulnerability remotely without requiring physical access to the server. Given the low complexity of the attack and the requirement for high privileges, it is critical for organizations to implement proper security measures to restrict access to the database.
User interaction is not required for the exploitation of this vulnerability, making it even more concerning. If exploited, the potential impact includes high confidentiality loss, as sensitive information stored in the database could be exposed. While integrity and availability impacts are not applicable, the risk to confidentiality is significant.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within the database. The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to data breaches, which may have legal and financial implications for affected organizations.
The blast radius of this vulnerability is significant, especially for organizations that heavily rely on the Contact Form 7 Database – CFDB7 plugin for data management. The high confidentiality impact necessitates immediate attention and remediation to prevent potential data leaks.
Considering the CVSS score and the nature of the vulnerability, organizations should address this issue in their priority patch cycle. The longer this vulnerability remains unaddressed, the greater the risk of exploitation becomes.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects all versions of the penguinarts Contact Form 7 Database – CFDB7 plugin up to and including version 1.0.0. Organizations utilizing this plugin should verify their version and apply necessary patches or updates.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade to the latest patched version of the penguinarts Contact Form 7 Database – CFDB7 plugin. If a patch is not available, organizations should consider removing the plugin or implementing strict input validation to mitigate the risk of SQL injection attacks.
Additionally, organizations should engage in penetration testing to validate the effectiveness of their remediation strategies and ensure that no other vulnerabilities exist.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor application logs for unusual SQL query patterns, especially those that may attempt to manipulate database tables. Behavioral anomalies in user input processing could also indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
Network signatures should be established to detect potential SQL injection attempts targeting the Contact Form 7 Database – CFDB7 plugin. Additionally, any system changes related to the plugin should be logged and reviewed regularly.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-22351 lies in its demonstration of how even widely-used plugins can harbor critical vulnerabilities. This incident underscores the necessity for ongoing security assessments and vigilance in monitoring third-party components.
The pattern of SQL injection vulnerabilities continues to be a prevalent threat, emphasizing the need for developers to implement robust input validation and sanitization practices. Security teams must prioritize training and awareness to recognize and mitigate these risks effectively.
Organizations should take this opportunity to strengthen their security posture by reviewing their plugin usage and considering engaging in comprehensive security assessments, such as penetration testing methodology to identify and address potential vulnerabilities across their systems.
Adopting a proactive security strategy will not only safeguard against this vulnerability but also enhance overall resilience against future threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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