CVE-2025-12502 is a SQL Injection vulnerability categorized under CWE-89 affecting the attention-bar WordPress plugin versions up to 0.7.2.1. The root cause is the plugin's failure to sanitize and escape input parameters before embedding them in SQL statements. This improper input handling enables attackers with administrative privileges to inject malicious SQL code, potentially leading to unauthorized data retrieval, modification, or deletion within the WordPress database. The vulnerability requires an attacker to have high-level access (administrator role), which limits exploitation to insiders or compromised accounts. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the flaw is critical due to the potential for complete database compromise. The absence of a CVSS score necessitates an assessment based on impact and exploitability. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data managed by the WordPress site. The plugin is used primarily in WordPress environments, which are widely deployed across Europe, especially in small to medium enterprises and content-driven websites. The vulnerability was reserved on 2025-10-30 and published on 2025-11-20, with no patches currently available, indicating a need for immediate attention from site administrators. The technical details confirm the vulnerability is recognized by WPScan and is publicly disclosed but not yet exploited in the wild.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to WordPress sites using the attention-bar plugin. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, including user credentials, personal information, and business-critical content. It could also allow attackers to alter or delete data, disrupt website availability, or escalate privileges further within the system. Given the reliance on WordPress for many European businesses, especially in sectors like e-commerce, media, and public services, the impact could be severe. Data breaches resulting from SQL injection could lead to regulatory penalties under GDPR, reputational damage, and operational disruptions. The requirement for administrative privileges to exploit the vulnerability somewhat limits the attack surface but also highlights the importance of securing privileged accounts. Organizations with weak internal controls or compromised administrator credentials are at higher risk. The lack of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation but should not lead to complacency.

1. Monitor official channels for patches or updates to the attention-bar plugin and apply them immediately once available. 2. Restrict administrative access to trusted personnel and enforce strong authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication (MFA). 3. Conduct regular audits of user accounts and permissions to detect and remove unnecessary administrative privileges. 4. Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with SQL injection detection and prevention capabilities to block malicious payloads targeting this vulnerability. 5. Implement input validation and sanitization at the application level where possible, especially for plugins and custom code interacting with databases. 6. Regularly back up WordPress sites and databases to enable recovery in case of compromise. 7. Educate administrators and developers about secure coding practices and the risks of SQL injection. 8. Consider isolating WordPress environments and limiting database user privileges to minimize potential damage from injection attacks.