Overview
The recently discovered vulnerability CVE-2025-49033 is a severe security issue that affects Metagauss ProfileGrid, a popular WordPress plugin. This vulnerability is an instance of SQL Injection, which is a common and highly dangerous security flaw that can compromise a system or lead to data leakage if not addressed swiftly and appropriately.
As ProfileGrid is widely used across numerous WordPress websites, this vulnerability could potentially impact thousands of users worldwide. It is of particular concern to website administrators and developers who have implemented the ProfileGrid plugin, as they may be at risk of Blind SQL Injection, a type of attack where an attacker can extract data from the server without any error messages being returned.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-49033
Severity: High (CVSS: 8.5)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Impact: System compromise, Data leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
Metagauss ProfileGrid | n/a through 5.9.5.3
How the Exploit Works
The vulnerability stems from the improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command within Metagauss ProfileGrid. This allows malicious actors to manipulate SQL queries within the application and potentially gain unauthorized access to confidential data. In a case of Blind SQL Injection, an attacker can send crafted input to the server that manipulates SQL queries, allowing them to extract data, modify data, or even execute commands on the server.
Conceptual Example Code
A conceptual example of how this vulnerability might be exploited could look like the following HTTP request:
POST /profilegrid/login HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.com
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded
username=admin' OR '1' = '1'; -- &password=passThis example code attempts to trick the server into executing an SQL command that will always return true, bypassing the need for a correct password and potentially granting unauthorized access to the system.
Mitigation Guidance
To mitigate this vulnerability, it is recommended to apply the patch provided by the vendor as soon as possible. If the patch cannot be applied immediately, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can provide temporary protection by detecting and blocking potential SQL Injection attacks. It is also advisable to regularly update and patch all software to prevent future vulnerabilities.