CVE-2025-9587
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands on WordPress sites using the CTL Behance Importer Lite plugin. Attackers can potentially read, modify, or delete database content, including sensitive user data. All WordPress installations with this plugin enabled are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- CTL Behance Importer Lite 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
Complete database compromise leading to data theft, privilege escalation, site defacement, or remote code execution via database functions.
Likely Case
Data exfiltration of user credentials, personal information, and site content, potentially leading to further attacks.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper input validation and WAF rules block malicious SQL payloads.
🎯 Exploit Status
SQL injection via AJAX endpoint requires minimal technical skill to exploit. No authentication needed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Not available
Vendor Advisory: https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/e497f8b3-d70b-4d81-b915-e78ea5c02863/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Immediately disable and remove the CTL Behance Importer Lite plugin. 2. Monitor for official patch from plugin developer. 3. Restore from clean backup if compromised.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin via WP-CLI
linuxDeactivate and delete the vulnerable plugin using WordPress command-line interface
wp plugin deactivate ctl-behance-importer-lite
wp plugin delete ctl-behance-importer-lite
Block AJAX Endpoint via .htaccess
linuxBlock access to the vulnerable AJAX endpoint at web server level
RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule ^wp-admin/admin-ajax\.php.*ctl_behance.* - [F,L]
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block SQL injection patterns targeting the AJAX endpoint
- Restrict access to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php to trusted IP addresses only
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if plugin 'ctl-behance-importer-lite' is installed and active in WordPress plugins listCheck Version:
wp plugin list --name=ctl-behance-importer-lite --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm plugin is completely removed from /wp-content/plugins/ directory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL errors in WordPress debug logs
- Multiple POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with SQL keywords
- Database connection errors from unexpected sources
Network Indicators:
- POST requests to admin-ajax.php containing SQL injection payloads
- Unusual database queries from web server process
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND "admin-ajax.php" AND ("UNION" OR "SELECT" OR "INSERT" OR "DELETE" OR "UPDATE")