CVE-2025-11497
📋 TL;DR
This CSRF vulnerability in the Advanced Database Cleaner WordPress plugin allows unauthenticated attackers to trick administrators into changing plugin settings via malicious links. Attackers can alter the 'keep last' database cleanup setting, potentially causing data loss or disruption. All WordPress sites using this plugin up to version 3.1.6 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Advanced Database Cleaner WordPress Plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Administrator tricked into changing cleanup settings could cause unintended deletion of important database records, leading to data loss and site functionality disruption.
Likely Case
Attackers change cleanup settings to delete more data than intended, causing minor site issues or requiring database restoration from backups.
If Mitigated
With proper CSRF protections and admin awareness, exploitation attempts fail with no impact on site operations.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires social engineering to trick authenticated administrator into clicking malicious link.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version 3.1.7 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Advanced Database Cleaner and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify plugin version is 3.1.7 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Temporary Plugin Deactivation
WordPressDeactivate the plugin until patched to prevent exploitation.
wp plugin deactivate advanced-database-cleaner
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls limiting admin panel access to trusted networks only.
- Educate administrators about CSRF risks and safe browsing practices when logged into admin panels.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Advanced Database Cleaner → View version details.Check Version:
wp plugin get advanced-database-cleaner --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 3.1.7 or higher in WordPress admin plugins page.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to /wp-admin/admin.php with aDBc_prepare_elements_to_clean parameter from unexpected sources.
- Multiple failed CSRF token validations in WordPress debug logs.
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing 'aDBc_prepare_elements_to_clean' parameter from non-admin IP addresses.
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (uri_path="/wp-admin/admin.php" AND query_string="*aDBc_prepare_elements_to_clean*")