CVE-2025-8416 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in the Product Filter by WBW WordPress plugin, versions up to and including 2.9.7. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements in the 'filtersDataBackend' parameter, which is directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate escaping or parameterization. This flaw allows an unauthenticated attacker to append arbitrary SQL commands to existing queries, enabling extraction of sensitive data from the backend database. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction and can be exploited remotely over the network. The weakness is classified under CWE-89, indicating improper input validation leading to SQL Injection. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.5, with vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, highlighting that the attack vector is network-based, with low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, and a high impact on confidentiality but no impact on integrity or availability. No patches or official fixes are currently published, and no known exploits are reported in the wild. However, the vulnerability poses a significant risk to WordPress sites using this plugin, particularly those handling sensitive customer or transactional data. Attackers exploiting this flaw could retrieve confidential information such as user credentials, payment details, or proprietary business data stored in the database.

For European organizations, especially those operating e-commerce or content-rich WordPress sites using the Product Filter by WBW plugin, this vulnerability presents a serious risk of data leakage. Confidential customer information, business intelligence, or internal data could be exposed, leading to reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR, and financial losses. The lack of required authentication and user interaction means attackers can exploit this vulnerability at scale, potentially targeting multiple organizations simultaneously. The impact is particularly critical for sectors handling sensitive personal data, such as retail, finance, and healthcare. Additionally, data breaches resulting from this vulnerability could trigger mandatory breach notifications under European data protection laws, increasing legal and compliance burdens. The vulnerability does not affect data integrity or availability directly, but the confidentiality breach alone is significant. Organizations relying on this plugin without mitigation are vulnerable to targeted or opportunistic attacks that could compromise their databases.

Immediate mitigation involves monitoring for plugin updates from the vendor and applying patches as soon as they are released. Until an official fix is available, organizations should implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL Injection patterns targeting the 'filtersDataBackend' parameter. Custom rules can be created to filter out suspicious payloads containing SQL control characters or keywords. Additionally, restricting access to the affected endpoints via IP whitelisting or rate limiting can reduce exposure. Conducting a thorough audit of WordPress plugins to identify and remove unused or vulnerable components is recommended. Organizations should also ensure that database user permissions follow the principle of least privilege, limiting the potential damage from SQL Injection. Regular backups and monitoring for unusual database queries or traffic patterns can aid in early detection of exploitation attempts. Finally, educating developers and administrators about secure coding and plugin management practices will help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.