CVE-2025-2478 is a time-based SQL Injection vulnerability identified in the Code Clone plugin for WordPress, developed by allhart. The vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 0.9 due to insufficient escaping and lack of prepared statements for the 'snippetId' parameter. This parameter is user-supplied and used directly in SQL queries without proper neutralization of special characters, enabling attackers with Administrator-level access or higher to inject additional SQL commands. The attack vector requires network access but no user interaction, and the attacker must already have elevated privileges within the WordPress environment. Exploiting this vulnerability allows an attacker to extract sensitive information from the backend database by appending malicious SQL queries, leveraging time delays to infer data. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.9, reflecting medium severity, with the vector indicating network attack vector, low attack complexity, high privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, high confidentiality impact, and no impact on integrity or availability. No patches or known exploits are currently documented, but the vulnerability presents a significant risk to data confidentiality in affected WordPress installations.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-2478 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored in the WordPress database, including user data, site configuration, and potentially credentials or other confidential content. Since the vulnerability requires Administrator-level privileges, the risk is somewhat mitigated by the need for prior compromise or insider threat. However, once exploited, attackers can extract data stealthily without affecting site availability or integrity, making detection difficult. Organizations relying on the Code Clone plugin for critical content management may face data breaches, compliance violations, and reputational damage. The vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value WordPress sites, especially those with multiple administrators or weak internal controls. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits in the future. Overall, the impact is medium, focusing on confidentiality loss without direct service disruption.

To mitigate CVE-2025-2478, organizations should immediately update the Code Clone plugin to a patched version once released by the vendor. In the absence of an official patch, administrators should apply strict input validation and sanitization on the 'snippetId' parameter, ensuring all user-supplied data is properly escaped or handled using parameterized queries or prepared statements. Restricting Administrator-level access to trusted personnel and enforcing strong authentication mechanisms can reduce the risk of exploitation. Regularly auditing WordPress user roles and permissions to minimize the number of high-privilege accounts is recommended. Implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with SQL Injection detection rules can provide an additional layer of defense. Monitoring database query logs for unusual or time-delayed queries may help detect exploitation attempts. Finally, organizations should maintain regular backups and conduct security assessments of their WordPress environments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities proactively.