CVE-2025-9172 is a high-severity SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the Vibes plugin for WordPress, developed by pierrelannoy. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 2.2.0 due to improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands, specifically via the 'resource' parameter. The root cause is insufficient escaping and lack of proper query preparation, allowing unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious SQL code. The attack vector is network-based with no authentication or user interaction required, enabling attackers to append additional SQL queries to existing ones. This can lead to unauthorized extraction of sensitive data from the backend database through time-based SQL injection techniques. Although no known exploits are currently observed in the wild, the vulnerability's characteristics make it a significant risk, especially for websites using the vulnerable plugin. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.5, reflecting high impact on confidentiality without affecting integrity or availability. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, indicating improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The lack of a patch at the time of publication increases exposure for affected installations.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a considerable threat, particularly for those relying on WordPress sites with the Vibes plugin installed. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, or business-critical information stored in the database. This could result in data breaches violating GDPR requirements, leading to legal penalties and reputational damage. Since the attack requires no authentication and can be performed remotely, it increases the risk of automated exploitation attempts. Organizations in sectors like e-commerce, finance, healthcare, and government, which often use WordPress for public-facing websites, may face increased risks. Additionally, the exposure of sensitive data could facilitate further attacks such as phishing or identity theft. The vulnerability does not directly impact data integrity or availability, but the confidentiality breach alone is significant under European data protection regulations.

Immediate mitigation should focus on removing or disabling the vulnerable Vibes plugin until a secure update is released. Organizations should monitor their WordPress installations for the presence of this plugin and assess exposure. Employing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting the 'resource' parameter can provide temporary protection. Implementing strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied parameters is critical. Organizations should also review database user privileges to ensure minimal permissions, limiting the potential damage of any injection. Regularly auditing logs for suspicious query patterns or unusual database access can help detect exploitation attempts early. Once a patch is available, prompt updating is essential. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying runtime application self-protection (RASP) tools to detect and block injection attacks in real-time.