The The Events Calendar plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to time-based SQL Injection via the ‘s’ parameter in all versions up to, and including, 6
Description
The The Events Calendar plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to time-based SQL Injection via the ‘s’ parameter in all versions up to, and including, 6
AI Analyst Comment
Remediation
Update WordPress plugin/theme to the latest version. Review WordPress security settings and remove if no longer needed.
Executive Summary:
A high-severity vulnerability has been identified in "The Events Calendar," a popular WordPress plugin. This flaw, a time-based SQL Injection, could allow an unauthenticated attacker to steal sensitive information from the website's database, including user data and credentials, by sending specially crafted web requests. Organizations are strongly advised to update the affected plugin immediately to prevent potential data breaches.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-ID: CVE-2025-9807
Affected Software: The Events Calendar plugin for WordPress
Affected Versions: All versions up to and including 6.0
Vulnerability: The vulnerability is a time-based blind SQL Injection. An attacker can exploit this by sending a crafted SQL query within the 's' (search) parameter of a request to the website. The application fails to properly sanitize this input before using it in a database query. By injecting commands that cause a time delay in the database response (e.g.,
SLEEP()orBENCHMARK()) based on true/false conditions, an attacker can infer the contents of the database one character at a time, eventually exfiltrating sensitive data without generating direct errors.Business Impact
This vulnerability is rated as High severity with a CVSS score of 7.5. Successful exploitation could lead to a significant data breach, allowing an attacker to access, modify, or exfiltrate all data stored in the WordPress database. This includes user credentials, personal identifiable information (PII), and other confidential business data. The potential consequences include severe reputational damage, financial loss from regulatory fines (e.g., GDPR, CCPA), and the cost of incident response and recovery.
Remediation Plan
Immediate Action: Immediately update "The Events Calendar" plugin to the latest version available (a version greater than 6.0) which contains a patch for this vulnerability. After updating, review the plugin's security settings and consider disabling the plugin if it is no longer essential for business operations.
Proactive Monitoring: Monitor web server and Web Application Firewall (WAF) logs for suspicious requests containing SQL keywords (e.g.,
SELECT,SLEEP,BENCHMARK,UNION) within the 's' parameter. Look for an unusual number of requests from a single IP address with slight variations, which is characteristic of an automated SQL injection attack. Monitor database logs for abnormally long-running queries originating from the web application.Compensating Controls: If patching is not immediately possible, implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with a strict ruleset designed to detect and block SQL injection patterns. Ensure the WAF is in blocking mode, not just logging mode. Restrict database user permissions for the WordPress application to the absolute minimum required for it to function (principle of least privilege).
Exploitation Status
Public Exploit Available: false
Analyst Notes: As of September 12, 2025, there are no known public proof-of-concept exploits or active exploitation campaigns targeting this specific vulnerability. However, SQL Injection is a well-understood vulnerability class, and exploits are trivial to develop. Due to the popularity of "The Events Calendar" plugin, it is highly probable that threat actors will develop and deploy exploits rapidly.
Analyst Recommendation
Given the high severity (CVSS 7.5) and the critical risk of a complete database compromise, it is imperative that organizations take immediate action. All instances of "The Events Calendar" plugin on internet-facing WordPress sites must be identified and patched to the latest version without delay. Although this CVE is not currently listed on the CISA KEV list, its high impact and the wide deployment of the affected software make it a prime target for opportunistic and targeted attacks. Prioritize this remediation activity to prevent a potentially significant security incident.