插件名称	External Login
漏洞类型	未经身份验证的 SQL 注入
CVE 编号	CVE-2025-11177
急	高
CVE 发布日期	2025-10-15
源网址	CVE-2025-11177

Urgent: External Login plugin (≤ 1.11.2) — Unauthenticated SQL Injection (CVE-2025-11177) and what site owners must do now

日期： 15 October 2025
严重性： High (CVSS 9.3)
Affected software: External Login WordPress plugin, versions ≤ 1.11.2
Vulnerability type: Unauthenticated SQL injection via plugin logging input (log parameter)
修复版本： N/A (no official patch available at time of writing)

As a WordPress security practitioner working on the front lines of web application protection, I want to make one thing very clear: an unauthenticated SQL injection in a plugin that handles login-related functionality is an extremely serious issue. Because the vulnerability is unauthenticated, any attacker on the internet can abuse it to execute arbitrary SQL against your site’s database. That can lead to full data theft, site takeover, and persistent backdoors. The CVE assigned to this issue is CVE-2025-11177 and, at the moment of publication, there is no official fix available from the plugin author.

This article explains, in practical terms:

• What this vulnerability is and why it’s so dangerous
• How to assess whether your site is affected
• Immediate steps to mitigate risk (short-term and intermediate mitigations)
• Detection and forensic steps if you suspect compromise
• How a WordPress Web Application Firewall (WAF) can virtually patch and protect you now
• Long-term hardening and remediation guidance

Read carefully and apply these mitigations right away. If you run WordPress sites that use the External Login plugin (or you manage multiple sites), treat this like an incident — act fast.

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Executive summary (for site owners and administrators)

• 漏洞： An unauthenticated SQL injection via plugin logging input (a “log” parameter or an endpoint that writes/processes logs) was found in the External Login plugin (versions ≤ 1.11.2).
• 影响： Remote attackers can inject SQL into your database without logging in. This can be used to read or modify data, create admin accounts, or install backdoors.
• Risk: Very high. Exploitable over the internet without credentials. Expect mass exploitation attempts.
• Immediate actions: If you have this plugin installed, either remove or deactivate it immediately. If you cannot do that, block access to the plugin via server rules or deploy WAF rules to block the exploit pattern. Monitor logs and look for indicators of compromise.
• If you’re a hosting provider or manage many sites: accelerate communications to customers, block the plugin’s files at the web layer, and apply virtual patches.

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What is the vulnerability (plain language)

The plugin processes a value intended for logging, but it fails to safely handle that input before using it in SQL. Because there is no authentication required to reach the code path that prepares the query, an unauthenticated attacker can send specifically crafted input (malicious payloads) that alter the SQL query’s structure. That leads to SQL injection — the ability to run arbitrary SQL against the site’s database.

SQL injection can be exploited to:

• Extract sensitive data (usernames, email addresses, password hashes, API keys)
• Modify data (change user roles, set attacker accounts to administrator)
• Insert malicious content or create backdoors
• Corrupt or delete tables
• Pivot to other systems if credentials are leaked

Because this is tied to a login-related plugin, consequences are particularly bad: attackers may directly target user authentication flows to escalate privileges or quietly create accounts.

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Why unauthenticated SQL injection is a top-tier emergency

Unauthenticated meaning: the attacker needs no valid WordPress user account. That makes it trivially exploitable by automated scanners, bots, and attackers worldwide. With a CVSS of 9.3, this is rated near-critical/critical. The presence of an exploitable SQLi means both confidentiality and integrity of your site and data are at risk. Any delay in mitigation increases the likelihood of compromise.

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How to quickly determine if your site is affected

1. WordPress admin check (fast):
   • Log in to wp-admin → Plugins → look for “External Login.”
   • If the plugin is installed and the version is 1.11.2 or lower, you are affected.
2. WP-CLI (safe, for admins/hosts):

   wp plugin list --format=table
   

   • Deactivate plugin quickly (if you decide immediate deactivation is needed):

   wp plugin deactivate external-login
   

   • Or remove:

   wp plugin delete external-login
   

3. Filesystem check:
   • Check for plugin folder at:

   /wp-content/plugins/external-login/
   

   • Note: some sites rename plugin folders; check plugin headers or search for filenames containing “external-login”.
4. Remote scan:
   • If you run a vulnerability scanner or WAF dashboard, check whether any detection for this CVE or suspicious SQL-like requests have been seen in access logs.

If you confirm the plugin is present, act immediately.

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Immediate mitigation options — do this now (ordered by recommended priority)

1. Deactivate and uninstall the plugin (recommended)
   Best immediate move: if your site doesn’t require this plugin for business-critical functionality, deactivate and remove it. Removing eliminates the attack surface.

   wp plugin deactivate external-login && wp plugin delete external-login
   

2. If you cannot remove the plugin right away, restrict access to its files
   Put a server-level block on the plugin’s directory so web requests cannot reach the vulnerable script. Treat this as a temporary “kill switch.”
   Example (Apache .htaccess in plugin folder):

   # Deny all external access to this plugin directory
   <IfModule mod_authz_core.c>
     Require all denied
   </IfModule>
   <IfModule !mod_authz_core.c>
     Deny from all
   </IfModule>
   

   Example (Nginx):

   location ^~ /wp-content/plugins/external-login/ {
       deny all;
       return 403;
   }
   

   Make sure blocking plugin files does not break essential site functions. Test carefully.

3. Block specific exploit patterns with a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
   A good WAF can be configured to block SQL-injection-like payloads and to target the plugin’s URL patterns. Example signatures:
   • Block requests to plugin directory when query string contains suspicious SQL tokens: UNION, SELECT, INFORMATION_SCHEMA, OR 1=1, SLEEP(, benchmark(, LOAD_FILE(, INTO OUTFILE
   • Block requests to endpoints that accept a “log” parameter that contain SQL meta-characters such as single quotes, semicolons combined with SQL keywords.

   Deploy virtual patch rules while waiting for an official fix.

4. Add a rule to your server to drop requests that include obvious SQL payload patterns
   ModSecurity example (generic, adjust to your environment):

   SecRule REQUEST_URI "@beginsWith /wp-content/plugins/external-login/" "id:1009001,phase:1,deny,log,msg:'Blocked request to External Login plugin directory'"
   SecRule ARGS_NAMES|ARGS|REQUEST_URI|REQUEST_BODY "(?i:(\bunion\b|\bselect\b|\binformation_schema\b|\bbenchmark\b|\bsleep\s*\(|\bload_file\b|\binto\s+outfile\b))" "id:1009002,phase:2,deny,log,msg:'SQLi pattern detected, blocked'"
   

   These are broad rules; tune them to minimize false positives.

5. Harden the database access (intermediate)
   Ensure your DB user has the minimum necessary privileges. Although this does not fully mitigate SQLi (since a successful injection uses the same DB user rights), reducing privileges can limit damage (e.g., prevent FILE or SUPER actions). Avoid using a DB user with global or root-like privileges.
6. Monitor and snapshot
   Take a trusted backup of site files and database now (offline, immutable if possible) for later forensic work. Snapshot the system before making changes so you can analyze pre-mitigation state if needed.

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Recommended WAF signatures and examples (practical)

Note: the goal of virtual patching is to stop malicious traffic before it reaches the vulnerable plugin. The examples below are generic rule patterns you can adapt to your stack.

Nginx (block plugin URI + suspicious query strings)

# Block suspicious SQL-like query strings to the External Login plugin
location ~* /wp-content/plugins/external-login/ {
    if ($args ~* "(union|select|information_schema|sleep\(|benchmark\(|load_file|into outfile|\bor\s+1=1\b)") {
        return 403;
    }
    # optionally deny any requests to plugin directory entirely:
    return 403;
}

Apache mod_rewrite (in .htaccess in the site root)

<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
  RewriteEngine On
  # Block SQLi-like requests targeting the plugin folder
  RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} ^/wp-content/plugins/external-login/ [NC,OR]
  RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (union|select|information_schema|sleep\(|benchmark\(|load_file|into%20outfile|or%201=1) [NC]
  RewriteRule .* - [F,L]
</IfModule>

ModSecurity (high-level)

SecRule REQUEST_URI "@beginsWith /wp-content/plugins/external-login/" "id:1209001,phase:1,deny,log,msg:'Block access to external-login plugin'"
SecRule ARGS|REQUEST_URI|REQUEST_HEADERS "(?i:\b(union|select|information_schema|load_file|into\s+outfile|benchmark|sleep)\b)" "id:1209002,phase:2,deny,log,msg:'Possible SQLi attempt - blocked'"

Generic WAF rule text pattern (to implement in any WAF UI)

Condition:
  - Request path contains "/wp-content/plugins/external-login/" OR request contains parameter named "log"
AND
  - Request body or query string contains SQL keywords/patterns: union, select, information_schema, sleep(, benchmark(, load_file, into outfile, or 1=1, concat(
Action: Block (403), Log, Alert admin

Tuning: these rules are intentionally conservative. If you operate a high-traffic site with many legitimate users adding free-form data, tune patterns to avoid false positives (e.g., block only when plugin URI plus SQL token matches).

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Detection and signs of compromise

If the plugin was accessible prior to your mitigation, assume there may have been probing or exploitation attempts. Look for these indicators:

• Unusual database queries or error messages in your logs indicating syntax errors (these can be from failed injection attempts).
• New or unexpected administrator users in wp_users 或者 wp_usermeta:

  SELECT ID, user_login, user_email, user_registered FROM wp_users ORDER BY user_registered DESC LIMIT 20;
  

• Unexpected outgoing network connections originating from your web server (webshells often phone home).
• Files added to wp-content/上传 or other writable directories that you did not create.
• Modification timestamps on core files, theme files, or plugin files that don’t line up with your updates.
• Webserver access logs showing requests with suspicious payloads (strings like UNION, SELECT, SLEEP, INFORMATION_SCHEMA). Example:

  grep -E "(UNION|SELECT|INFORMATION_SCHEMA|SLEEP|benchmark|load_file|into outfile)" /var/log/apache2/access.log
  

• WordPress debug log entries with SQL errors or warnings (if WP_DEBUG is enabled to log).
• Unexplained changes to site content, unusual redirects, or injected spam pages.

If you identify any of these signs, treat it as a potential compromise and follow incident response steps (see below).

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Incident response checklist (if you suspect exploitation)

1. Isolate the site: Move it to maintenance mode; block traffic except from known admin IPs or take the site offline.
2. Preserve evidence: Export and store webserver logs, database snapshot, and plugin/theme files in a secure place. Don’t overwrite logs.
3. Perform a malware scan (use reliable tools and, if possible, offline scanning).
4. Look for persistence: webshell files, modified scheduled tasks, or rogue admin users. Remove discovered backdoors carefully after preserving artifacts.
5. Rotate credentials: change WordPress admin passwords, database password, FTP/SFTP keys, API keys. Note: if attackers extracted backups or data, rotation will not negate prior exposure, but it’s still mandatory.
6. Rebuild trust: if compromise is confirmed, rebuild the site from a clean backup taken before the compromise, then patch and harden.
7. Post-incident: conduct a root cause analysis — how did the exploit get in, what data was accessed, and how can it be prevented in future? Document the steps taken.

If you manage multiple sites or are a host, notify affected customers and provide transparent remediation steps.

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Long-term remediation and hardening

• Keep plugins/themes/core updated. Subscribe to vulnerability feeds you trust.
• Limit plugin usage: install minimal plugins and vet them regularly.
• Use the principle of least privilege for the database user.
• Restrict access to sensitive admin endpoints with IP allow-lists or two-factor authentication (2FA).
• Use a hardened WAF with up-to-date virtual patches for newly released CVEs. Virtual patching is invaluable when vendors are slow to release fixes.
• Apply file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized changes.
• Enable logging and retention policies for access logs, application logs, and firewall logs.
• Implement a backup and recovery plan — regular, tested backups stored off-site.

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Why virtual patching matters here (and how WP-Firewall helps)

When a high-severity vulnerability is disclosed but there’s no official vendor patch available (as is the case right now), virtually patching the issue at the web layer is the fastest way to stop attackers from exploiting it. Virtual patching means blocking the exploit vectors at the edge with WAF rules so the vulnerable code is never reached.

Benefits of virtual patching:

• Immediate protection while developers prepare a fix.
• No need to modify plugin code or risk breaking functionality with emergency changes.
• Centralized protection for multiple sites; ideal for hosts/agencies with many WordPress installs.
• Can be deployed as temporary or permanent mitigations until the plugin is patched or replaced.

WP-Firewall maintains and deploys targeted virtual patches for emerging WordPress plugin and core vulnerabilities. If you enable protection, our managed rules can detect and block SQL injection attempts aimed at the External Login plugin, monitor suspicious patterns, and alert you — even if the vendor has not released a patch.

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Practical advice for hosting providers and agencies

• Block the plugin path globally on the host if you see scanning or exploitation attempts across many customers.
• Provide customers with simple steps to deactivate the plugin via WP-CLI or the WordPress admin.
• Offer a cleanup service for any infected sites and help rotate credentials.
• Deploy host-level WAF rules and virtual patches to protect all customer sites immediately.
• Communicate clearly with customers about the risk, steps you’re taking, and what they must do (change passwords, run scans, review user list).

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Detection queries and forensic starting points (for security teams)

• List recent users (look for new admins):

  SELECT ID, user_login, user_email, user_registered FROM wp_users WHERE user_registered > DATE_SUB(NOW(), INTERVAL 30 DAY);
  SELECT * FROM wp_usermeta WHERE meta_key LIKE '%capabilities%';
  

• Check for suspicious options or cron entries:

  SELECT option_name, option_value FROM wp_options WHERE option_name LIKE '%cron%' OR option_name LIKE '%active_plugins%';
  

• Search for suspicious files in uploads and plugin directories:

  find /var/www/html/wp-content/uploads -type f -mtime -30 -print
  grep -R "eval(" /var/www/html/wp-content/ | head
  

• Scan access logs for suspicious query strings:

  grep -E "union|select|benchmark|sleep|information_schema|load_file|into outfile" /var/log/nginx/access.log /var/log/apache2/access.log
  

These queries are a starting point to help triage. If you’re unsure or see evidence of compromise, engage a professional incident response team.

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Communications checklist (what to tell stakeholders)

If a site you manage is affected, communicate:

• What happened (high-level) and the assessed risk (unauthenticated SQLi — high).
• What immediate actions you’ve taken (plugin removed/blocked, WAF rules applied).
• Next steps (forensics, cleaning, password rotations).
• Any action you request from the customer (change passwords, test site functionality, report unusual activity).
• Expected timeline and follow-ups.

Be transparent: clients trust timely, accurate updates.

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经常问的问题

Q: If I remove the plugin, am I safe?
A: Removing the plugin removes that specific attack surface. However, if the site was exploited prior to removal, you may already have persistent backdoors. Always scan and review logs before declaring a site clean.

Q: Does rotating database credentials help?
A: Rotating credentials is essential after compromise to prevent further access via stolen credentials, but it does not undo data exfiltration. It’s one step in a larger incident response process.

Q: Will a WAF slow my site down?
A: Modern WAFs are designed to have minimal performance impact. The small cost in latency is negligible compared to the protection they provide, especially for high-risk vulnerabilities like unauthenticated SQLi.

Q: What about plugin updates?
A: When the plugin vendor publishes a fix, apply it immediately. Virtual patches do not replace official patches — they buy you time and reduce risk until an official, tested fix is available.

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What to do right now — an action checklist you can follow in the next 60 minutes

1. Check if External Login is installed. If yes, note version.
2. If non-critical, deactivate and delete the plugin.
3. If deletion is not possible:
   • Place plugin folder behind a deny-all webserver rule, or
   • Deploy WAF rules to block SQLi patterns targeting the plugin.
4. Snapshot database and file system for investigation.
5. Search for anomalous admin accounts and suspicious logs.
6. Rotate admin and database credentials if compromise is suspected.
7. Monitor for evidence of exploitation (search logs for SQLi signatures).
8. Apply long-term hardening steps (WAF, least privilege, backups).

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Final thoughts from a WordPress security practitioner

This External Login vulnerability is the kind of issue that packs the biggest punch: it’s remote, unauthenticated, and targets a plugin that touches authentication flows. That means attackers will treat it as high priority. If you host WordPress sites or manage plugins for customers, don’t delay. Deploy a defensive posture now: either remove the plugin or place immediate protections at the edge (virtual patches and server-level blocks). If you suspect any signs of compromise, escalate to incident response and preserve evidence for a proper investigation.

The reality of WordPress security today is that not every plugin maintainer will respond quickly with a patch. That’s why layered defense — good hygiene, backups, access controls, and a capable WAF that can deliver virtual patches — is the responsible approach.

If you want help implementing the protections described here, or want a rapid virtual patch applied to stop exploitation attempts immediately, our team is ready to assist. Protecting your users, their data, and your reputation is urgent and achievable with the right steps.

Stay safe, monitor, and act now.