CVE-2025-9441 is a medium-severity SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the iATS Online Forms plugin for WordPress, specifically all versions up to and including 1.2. The vulnerability arises due to improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands (CWE-89), specifically through the 'order' parameter. This parameter is insufficiently escaped and the SQL queries are not properly prepared, allowing authenticated attackers with Contributor-level access or higher to inject additional SQL commands. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), and privileges at the level of a Contributor or above (PR:L), but does not require user interaction (UI:N). The scope remains unchanged (S:U). Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information from the backend database, impacting confidentiality (C:H), but does not affect integrity or availability. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk because it allows attackers with relatively low privileges to escalate their access to sensitive data by leveraging SQL Injection techniques. The lack of prepared statements and insufficient input sanitization in the plugin's codebase are the root causes. Since the vulnerability requires authenticated access, it limits exposure to some extent but remains critical in environments where Contributor-level users exist or can be compromised. The plugin is used in WordPress environments, which are widely deployed across many organizations, including European entities, especially those handling online payments or donations via forms integrated with iATS Online Forms.

For European organizations, this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive customer or transactional data stored in the backend databases of WordPress sites using the iATS Online Forms plugin. Given that the plugin is payment-related, the exposure of financial or personally identifiable information (PII) could result in regulatory non-compliance under GDPR, leading to legal penalties and reputational damage. The ability for an attacker with Contributor-level access to extract data without detection increases insider threat risks and the potential for data breaches. Organizations relying on this plugin for payment processing or donation collection may face operational disruptions if attackers exploit this vulnerability to exfiltrate data or conduct further attacks. The medium severity rating indicates a moderate but tangible risk, especially in sectors like non-profits, small to medium enterprises, and e-commerce platforms prevalent in Europe. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests a window for proactive mitigation before widespread exploitation occurs.

1. Immediate upgrade or patching: Although no official patch links are provided, organizations should monitor the vendor’s announcements for patches or updates beyond version 1.2 and apply them promptly. 2. Restrict Contributor-level access: Review and minimize the number of users with Contributor or higher privileges on WordPress sites using this plugin to reduce the attack surface. 3. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules: Deploy WAF rules that detect and block SQL Injection attempts targeting the 'order' parameter or suspicious query patterns associated with this plugin. 4. Input validation and sanitization: If custom development is possible, modify the plugin code to use parameterized queries or prepared statements for all database interactions, especially those involving user-supplied parameters. 5. Monitor logs and alerts: Enable detailed logging for database queries and WordPress user activities to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Conduct security audits: Regularly audit WordPress plugins and user permissions to identify and remediate vulnerabilities and misconfigurations. 7. Isolate payment processing environments: Where feasible, segregate payment form handling from other site components to limit the impact of a compromise.