CVE-2025-15477 identifies a SQL Injection vulnerability in the WordPress plugin The Bucketlister, developed by simonfairbairn. The flaw exists in all versions up to and including 0.1.5, where the plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape user-supplied input in the shortcode attributes 'category' and 'id'. These attributes are used directly in SQL queries without sufficient preparation or parameterization, allowing authenticated users with Contributor-level or higher privileges to append arbitrary SQL commands. This improper neutralization of special elements (CWE-89) can be exploited to extract sensitive information from the underlying database, such as user data or configuration details. The vulnerability requires no user interaction and can be exploited remotely over the network (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L). The CVSS v3.1 score is 6.5 (medium), reflecting high confidentiality impact but no impact on integrity or availability. No known public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability poses a risk especially to websites that rely on this plugin for content listing. The lack of patch links indicates that a fix may not yet be available, emphasizing the need for immediate mitigation. This vulnerability highlights the risks of insufficient input validation in WordPress plugins, particularly when lower-privileged users can influence database queries.

For European organizations, this vulnerability primarily threatens the confidentiality of sensitive data stored in WordPress databases. Attackers with Contributor-level access can extract information such as user credentials, personal data, or business-critical content, potentially leading to data breaches and compliance violations under GDPR. While the vulnerability does not directly affect data integrity or availability, the exposure of confidential information can damage organizational reputation and result in regulatory penalties. Organizations using The Bucketlister plugin on public-facing websites are at risk of targeted exploitation, especially if Contributor roles are assigned liberally or if attackers compromise such accounts. The medium severity rating suggests moderate urgency, but the potential for data leakage in regulated environments elevates the impact. European entities with extensive WordPress deployments, including media, e-commerce, and governmental websites, should consider this vulnerability a significant threat vector. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the possibility of future attacks, particularly as exploit code could be developed rapidly given the low complexity of exploitation.

1. Immediately review and restrict Contributor-level access on WordPress sites using The Bucketlister plugin to only trusted users, minimizing the attack surface. 2. Monitor database query logs for unusual or unexpected SQL commands that could indicate exploitation attempts. 3. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL Injection patterns targeting the 'category' and 'id' shortcode parameters. 4. Encourage the plugin developer or community to release a patch that properly parameterizes SQL queries and escapes user input. 5. Until a patch is available, consider disabling or removing The Bucketlister plugin if it is not essential. 6. Conduct regular security audits of WordPress plugins and user roles to identify and mitigate similar vulnerabilities. 7. Educate site administrators about the risks of assigning Contributor or higher privileges unnecessarily. 8. Use security plugins that can detect and prevent SQL Injection attempts in WordPress environments. These targeted steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, monitoring, and proactive plugin management specific to this vulnerability.