CVE-2025-11177 identifies a critical SQL Injection vulnerability in the External Login plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 1.11.2. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in the 'log' parameter, which is used in SQL queries without sufficient escaping or prepared statements. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to append arbitrary SQL commands to existing queries, targeting PostgreSQL or MSSQL databases configured for external authentication. The injection can be exploited remotely over the network without any privileges or user interaction, making it highly accessible. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized extraction of sensitive information from the backend database, compromising confidentiality. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 and has a CVSS v3.1 score of 7.5, indicating high severity primarily due to the confidentiality impact and ease of exploitation. No patches have been linked yet, and no known exploits are reported in the wild, but the risk remains significant given the widespread use of WordPress and this plugin. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and use of parameterized queries in plugin development to prevent SQL Injection attacks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk of data breaches, especially for those using the External Login plugin with PostgreSQL or MSSQL databases for authentication. Sensitive user credentials or other confidential data stored in the database could be exposed, leading to identity theft, unauthorized access, or further compromise of internal systems. The lack of required authentication and user interaction increases the likelihood of automated exploitation attempts. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure are particularly vulnerable due to the sensitive nature of their data and regulatory requirements like GDPR. A successful attack could result in reputational damage, legal penalties, and operational disruptions. Additionally, attackers could leverage extracted information for lateral movement or targeted attacks within the network.

Immediate mitigation steps include disabling the External Login plugin until a secure patch is released. Organizations should monitor plugin updates from the vendor and apply patches promptly once available. In the interim, implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block SQL Injection attempts targeting the 'log' parameter can reduce risk. Reviewing and restricting database permissions to limit the impact of potential data extraction is recommended. Conducting thorough code audits of custom or third-party plugins for similar injection flaws is advisable. Logging and monitoring access to authentication endpoints should be enhanced to detect suspicious activity. Where feasible, migrating authentication mechanisms away from vulnerable plugins or using alternative secure authentication methods can provide longer-term protection.