CVE-2025-11972 identifies a SQL Injection vulnerability in the 'Tag, Category, and Taxonomy Manager – AI Autotagger with OpenAI' WordPress plugin, versions up to and including 3.40.0. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements in the 'post_types' parameter, which is insufficiently escaped before being incorporated into SQL queries. This flaw allows an authenticated attacker with Editor-level or higher privileges to append arbitrary SQL commands to existing queries. The injection can be leveraged to extract sensitive information from the backend database, such as user credentials, configuration data, or other confidential content stored within the WordPress database. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond authentication and does not impact data integrity or availability, focusing primarily on confidentiality breaches. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.9 (medium), reflecting the network attack vector, low attack complexity, and the requirement for high privileges but no user interaction. No patches or official fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild. The vulnerability is cataloged under CWE-89, indicating improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands. The plugin’s widespread use in WordPress ecosystems makes this a relevant threat, especially for sites with multiple editors or contributors who have elevated privileges.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data stored in WordPress databases, including potentially personal data protected under GDPR. Attackers with Editor-level access can exploit this flaw to extract confidential information without altering or destroying data, which could lead to privacy breaches, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties. Organizations relying on this plugin for content management or AI-assisted tagging are at risk, particularly if they have multiple editors or contributors with elevated privileges. The impact is heightened in sectors such as media, publishing, education, and e-commerce, where WordPress is commonly used and sensitive customer or business data may be stored. Although the vulnerability does not allow for denial of service or data modification, the confidentiality breach alone can have significant consequences, including facilitating further attacks or social engineering. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests limited immediate threat, but the ease of exploitation by authenticated users warrants proactive mitigation. European entities must consider the GDPR implications of any data leakage resulting from this vulnerability.

1. Immediately restrict Editor-level and higher privileges to trusted users only, minimizing the attack surface. 2. Monitor and audit database queries and WordPress logs for unusual or suspicious activity indicative of SQL injection attempts. 3. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules specifically targeting SQL injection patterns on the 'post_types' parameter. 4. Disable or remove the vulnerable plugin if it is not essential to operations until a patched version is released. 5. Engage with the plugin vendor or community to obtain or request a security patch and apply it promptly once available. 6. Employ principle of least privilege for WordPress roles, limiting the number of users with Editor or Administrator access. 7. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focusing on WordPress plugins and custom code. 8. Backup WordPress databases regularly and securely to enable recovery in case of compromise. 9. Educate content editors about the risks of elevated privileges and encourage reporting of suspicious behavior. 10. Consider isolating WordPress instances or using containerization to limit lateral movement in case of exploitation.