CVE-2025-2511 identifies a time-based SQL Injection vulnerability in the AHAthat Plugin for WordPress, developed by mitchelllevy, present in all versions up to and including 1.6. The root cause is insufficient escaping and lack of prepared statements for the 'id' parameter in SQL queries, which allows an authenticated attacker with administrator-level privileges or higher to inject malicious SQL code. This injection can append additional SQL commands to existing queries, enabling the extraction of sensitive data from the underlying database. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require high-level privileges, limiting exploitation to trusted users with admin access. The CVSS v3.1 score is 4.9 (medium), reflecting 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 available, but the vulnerability poses a risk of data leakage if exploited. The plugin’s widespread use in WordPress environments makes this a relevant concern for website administrators. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-89, indicating improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands, a classic injection flaw. Mitigation requires code fixes to implement proper input validation and use of parameterized queries.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-2511 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored in the WordPress site's database. Since the vulnerability allows time-based SQL Injection, attackers can extract data such as user credentials, personal information, or configuration details by manipulating the 'id' parameter. Although the attack requires administrator-level access, compromised or malicious administrators could exploit this to escalate damage or exfiltrate data. The vulnerability does not affect data integrity or availability, so it is less likely to cause site defacement or downtime directly. However, data breaches resulting from this flaw could lead to reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and further exploitation if sensitive credentials are exposed. Organizations relying on the AHAthat plugin in their WordPress installations are at risk, 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 once the vulnerability is public. Overall, the impact is moderate but significant for confidentiality in affected environments.

To mitigate CVE-2025-2511, organizations should first restrict administrator access to trusted personnel only, minimizing the risk of insider exploitation. Implement strict access controls and monitor administrator activities for suspicious database queries or unusual behavior. Since no official patches are currently available, consider temporarily disabling or removing the AHAthat plugin if feasible. If removal is not possible, apply web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns targeting the 'id' parameter. Developers maintaining the plugin should urgently update the code to use parameterized queries or prepared statements for all database interactions involving user input, especially the 'id' parameter. Input validation and sanitization should be enforced to neutralize special SQL characters. Regularly audit WordPress plugins for vulnerabilities and keep all components updated. Additionally, monitor security advisories for patch releases and apply them promptly once available. Conduct database access logging and review logs for anomalies to detect potential exploitation attempts early.