A critical SQL injection vulnerability (CVE-2025-31911) has been identified in the WordPress plugin “Social Share And Social Locker” by NotFound, affecting versions up to and including 1.4.2. The flaw, rated 9.3 (CRITICAL) on the CVSS 3.1 scale, allows unauthenticated attackers to execute blind SQL injection attacks, potentially leading to database exfiltration or authentication bypass. Patchstack has flagged this vulnerability as “highly dangerous and expected to become mass exploited”[1].
**TL;DR:**
– **CVE:** CVE-2025-31911
– **Affected Plugin:** Social Share And Social Locker (≤1.4.2)
– **Vulnerability Type:** Blind SQL Injection (CWE-89)
– **CVSS 3.1 Score:** 9.3 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:L)
– **Risk:** Remote exploitation, high confidentiality impact
– **Mitigation:** Update plugin or disable if no patch is available
Technical Analysis
The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of SQL special elements in user-supplied input, a common issue in plugins that fail to implement parameterized queries[2]. Attackers can inject malicious SQL payloads through unprotected parameters, exploiting the plugin’s database interactions. Blind SQL injection techniques, such as time-based or boolean-based inference, may be used to extract sensitive data, including user credentials or site configurations.
The CVSS vector (`AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:L`) indicates the attack is network-based, requires low complexity, and has no prerequisites for authentication. The high confidentiality impact (C:H) suggests successful exploitation could compromise sensitive data, while the low integrity and availability scores imply limited disruption to system functionality[3].
Exploitation and Detection
While no public proof-of-concept (PoC) has been released, the unauthenticated nature of the vulnerability increases its exploitability. Red teams can simulate attacks using generic SQL injection payloads (e.g., `’ OR 1=1–`), while blue teams should monitor for unusual database queries or unexpected plugin behavior.
Detection methods include:
– **Log Analysis:** Review WordPress `debug.log` for SQL syntax errors.
– **WAF Rules:** Implement rules to block common SQLi patterns (e.g., `UNION SELECT`).
– **Database Monitoring:** Alert on anomalous query patterns from the plugin’s database user.
Mitigation and Remediation
Patchstack advises immediate action due to the high likelihood of exploitation[1]. Recommended steps include:
1. **Update the Plugin:** Check for a patched version from the vendor.
2. **Disable the Plugin:** If no update is available, deactivate it.
3. **Restrict Permissions:** Limit the database user to read-only access where possible.
4. **Audit Logs:** Review for signs of prior exploitation.
For organizations using vulnerable versions, temporary workarounds include deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) with SQL injection rules or migrating to alternative plugins with similar functionality.
Broader Implications
This vulnerability highlights ongoing challenges in WordPress plugin security. A March 2025 Wordfence report documented 180 vulnerabilities across 169 plugins and 5 themes, underscoring the need for rigorous patch management[4]. Similar critical CVEs in 2025, such as CVE-2025-2266 (WooCommerce, CVSS 9.8) and CVE-2025-2803 (WordPress Shortcode Execution, CVSS 8.8), further emphasize the risks of unmaintained plugins.
Conclusion
CVE-2025-31911 poses a significant threat to WordPress sites using the Social Share And Social Locker plugin. Organizations should prioritize patching or disabling the plugin and monitor for updates from NotFound. Proactive measures, such as database permission hardening and WAF deployment, can reduce exposure while awaiting a fix.
References
- Patchstack, “WordPress Social Share And Social Locker Plugin SQL Injection Vulnerability,” Patchstack Report, Apr. 2025.
- NVD, “CVE-2025-31911 Detail,” NIST, Apr. 2025.
- SecAlerts, “CVE-2025-31911 Analysis,” SecAlerts, Apr. 2025.
- Wordfence, “Weekly WordPress Vulnerability Report,” Wordfence, Mar. 2025.
