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CVE-2025-46242: CWE-89 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') in Bob Watu Quiz

Medium
Published: Tue Apr 22 2025 (04/22/2025, 09:53:28 UTC)
Source: CVE
Vendor/Project: Bob
Product: Watu Quiz

Description

Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Bob Watu Quiz allows SQL Injection. This issue affects Watu Quiz: from n/a through 3.4.3.

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 06/21/2025, 22:57:17 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2025-46242 is an SQL Injection vulnerability classified under CWE-89 that affects the Bob Watu Quiz plugin, specifically versions up to and including 3.4.3. SQL Injection vulnerabilities arise when user-supplied input is improperly sanitized or neutralized before being incorporated into SQL queries. This allows an attacker to inject malicious SQL code, potentially manipulating the backend database. In the case of Watu Quiz, a WordPress plugin used for creating quizzes and assessments, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the database. This can lead to unauthorized data access, data modification, or even complete compromise of the database server. The vulnerability is present due to improper neutralization of special characters or elements in SQL commands, which means that input validation or parameterized queries are either absent or insufficient. Although no public exploits are currently known in the wild, the nature of SQL Injection vulnerabilities makes them attractive targets for attackers because exploitation can often be automated and can yield significant control over the affected system. The absence of a patch link suggests that a fix may not yet be publicly available, increasing the urgency for affected users to implement mitigations or monitor for updates. Given that Watu Quiz is a popular plugin for WordPress sites, the attack surface includes any websites using this plugin, which may include educational platforms, corporate training sites, and other quiz-based applications. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could extract sensitive user data, alter quiz results, or pivot to further compromise the hosting environment.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, the impact of this SQL Injection vulnerability can be significant, especially for those relying on Watu Quiz for educational, training, or assessment purposes. Confidentiality could be compromised if attackers extract personal data, including user identities, quiz results, or other sensitive information stored in the database. Integrity is at risk as attackers could modify quiz content or results, undermining trust in the platform and potentially causing reputational damage. Availability could also be affected if attackers execute destructive SQL commands, such as dropping tables or corrupting data, leading to service disruption. Organizations in sectors such as education, e-learning, human resources, and compliance training are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on quiz data for decision-making and regulatory adherence. Additionally, exploitation could serve as a foothold for further attacks within the network, including lateral movement or privilege escalation. The medium severity rating indicates a moderate level of risk, but the actual impact depends on the sensitivity of the data stored and the criticality of the affected systems within the organization.

Mitigation Recommendations

1. Immediate mitigation should include disabling or uninstalling the Watu Quiz plugin until a patch is available. 2. If disabling is not feasible, restrict access to the quiz administration and submission endpoints via web application firewalls (WAFs) or IP whitelisting to limit exposure. 3. Implement input validation and sanitization at the application level, ensuring all user inputs are properly escaped or parameterized before database queries. 4. Monitor web server and database logs for unusual query patterns or error messages indicative of SQL Injection attempts. 5. Employ database user accounts with the least privileges necessary to limit the impact of any successful injection. 6. Regularly back up the database and verify the integrity of backups to enable recovery in case of data corruption. 7. Stay informed about updates from the vendor and apply patches promptly once released. 8. Conduct security assessments and penetration testing focused on injection vulnerabilities to identify and remediate similar issues proactively. 9. Educate developers and administrators on secure coding practices, particularly regarding database interactions.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.1
Assigner Short Name
Patchstack
Date Reserved
2025-04-22T09:21:32.319Z
Cisa Enriched
true

Threat ID: 682d9849c4522896dcbf6ad0

Added to database: 5/21/2025, 9:09:29 AM

Last enriched: 6/21/2025, 10:57:17 PM

Last updated: 8/12/2025, 1:57:35 PM

Views: 14

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