CVE-2025-1768 – The Squirrly SEO WordPress plugin contains a bl... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2025-1768?

CVE-2025-1768 has a CVSS score of 6.5 (MEDIUM). The Squirrly SEO WordPress plugin contains a blind SQL injection vulnerability in the 'search' parameter across multiple controller files. Authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access or higher can exploit this to extract sensitive database information. All WordPress sites using vulnerable plugin versions are affected.

📋 TL;DR

The Squirrly SEO WordPress plugin contains a blind SQL injection vulnerability in the 'search' parameter across multiple controller files. Authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access or higher can exploit this to extract sensitive database information. All WordPress sites using vulnerable plugin versions are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Squirrly SEO WordPress Plugin

Versions: All versions up to and including 12.4.05

Operating Systems: All

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires WordPress installation with vulnerable plugin version and at least one authenticated user account (Subscriber role or higher).

📦 What is this software?

Seo Plugin By Squirrly Seo by Squirrly

View all CVEs affecting Seo Plugin By Squirrly Seo →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Attackers extract sensitive data including user credentials, personal information, and site configuration, potentially leading to complete site compromise and data breach.

🟠

Likely Case

Attackers extract user data, plugin settings, and potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative access to the WordPress site.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper input validation and prepared statements, no SQL injection would be possible, limiting impact to normal plugin functionality.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires authenticated access but uses common SQL injection techniques. The vulnerability is in multiple controller files making exploitation straightforward.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 12.4.06 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/squirrly-seo/#developers

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Squirrly SEO' and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify plugin version is 12.4.06 or higher.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable vulnerable plugin

all

Temporarily disable the Squirrly SEO plugin until patched

wp plugin deactivate squirrly-seo

Restrict user registration

all

Prevent new user accounts from being created to limit attack surface

In WordPress Settings → General, uncheck 'Anyone can register'

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block SQL injection patterns in search parameters
Restrict plugin access to trusted IP addresses only using .htaccess or server configuration

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins for Squirrly SEO version

Check Version:

wp plugin get squirrly-seo --field=version

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify plugin version is 12.4.06 or higher in WordPress admin panel

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual SQL queries in database logs
Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful Subscriber login
Unusual search parameter patterns in web server logs

Network Indicators:

POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with SQL injection patterns in search parameter
Unusual database connection patterns from web server

SIEM Query:

source="web_server" AND (url="*admin-ajax.php*" AND parameters="*search=*%27*" OR parameters="*search=*%22*")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2025-1768

CVSS v3 Score: 6.5 (MEDIUM)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

CWE: CWE-89

EPSS Score: 0.29% exploit probability (51.5th percentile)

Published: March 7, 2025

Last Updated: April 9, 2025

🔗 References

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