CVE-2025-9947 identifies a time-based SQL Injection vulnerability in the Custom 404 Pro plugin for WordPress, versions up to and including 3.12.0. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special characters in the 'path' parameter, which is used in SQL queries without adequate escaping or prepared statements. This flaw allows authenticated users with administrator-level privileges to append malicious SQL code to existing queries, enabling extraction of sensitive data from the backend database. The attack vector is network-based, requiring no user interaction but necessitating high privileges, which limits the attack surface to trusted users or compromised admin accounts. The vulnerability affects confidentiality by exposing database contents but does not impact data integrity or availability. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the presence of this vulnerability in a widely used WordPress plugin poses a significant risk if exploited. The CVSS 3.1 score of 4.9 reflects medium severity, balancing the ease of exploitation with the privilege requirement and the impact scope. The lack of a patch at the time of publication necessitates immediate risk mitigation strategies by affected organizations.

For European organizations, this vulnerability presents a risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored in WordPress databases, including user data, configuration details, and potentially business-critical information. Since exploitation requires administrator-level access, the primary risk vector involves insider threats or compromised admin credentials. The confidentiality breach could lead to data privacy violations under GDPR, resulting in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Although the vulnerability does not affect data integrity or availability, the exposure of sensitive data can facilitate further attacks such as phishing or lateral movement within networks. Organizations relying on WordPress sites with the Custom 404 Pro plugin, especially those handling personal or financial data, are at heightened risk. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk of future attacks, emphasizing the need for proactive remediation.

1. Immediately restrict administrator access to trusted personnel and enforce strong authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication (MFA). 2. Monitor and audit administrator activities to detect suspicious behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. 3. Deploy web application firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block SQL Injection patterns targeting the 'path' parameter in HTTP requests. 4. Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or replacing the Custom 404 Pro plugin to eliminate the attack surface. 5. Regularly update WordPress core and all plugins to their latest versions once patches become available. 6. Conduct security awareness training for administrators to recognize and prevent credential compromise. 7. Implement database access controls and encryption to minimize data exposure even if SQL Injection occurs. 8. Perform regular vulnerability scans and penetration tests focusing on WordPress environments to identify similar injection flaws.