Summary

On 3 October 2025 a severe vulnerability affecting the WPRecovery WordPress plugin (versions ≤ 2.0) was disclosed (CVE-2025-10726). The issue is an unauthenticated SQL injection that can be chained to arbitrary file deletion on affected sites. The vulnerability carries a CVSS score of 10 and is exploitable without authentication — meaning any attacker with HTTP access can attempt to weaponize this issue.

This advisory, written from the perspective of a Hong Kong security practitioner, explains the technical risk, how attackers can exploit it, how to detect exploitation, and practical mitigation and remediation steps you should take immediately. If you are responsible for one or many WordPress sites, read this end-to-end and act now.

What is the vulnerability?

• Affected software: WPRecovery plugin for WordPress
• Affected versions: ≤ 2.0
• Vulnerability type: SQL Injection (OWASP Injection)
• CVE: CVE-2025-10726
• Privilege needed: None (Unauthenticated)
• Reported: 3 October 2025
• Impact: Database compromise and arbitrary file deletion on disk (chained attack)
• Official patch status: Not available at time of publication

At a high level, the plugin exposes an endpoint or action that uses untrusted input in database queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. An attacker can use crafted input to manipulate SQL queries (SQL injection). The vulnerability can be chained: by altering database records that the plugin uses to manage files, the attacker can trigger deletion routines to remove arbitrary files from the server filesystem. Because the attack can be performed without login, it represents an immediate and critical risk.

Why this is so dangerous

1. Unauthenticated: No account or privilege is required. Any remote attacker can attempt exploit.
2. SQL Injection: Direct access to the database allows extraction, modification, or destruction of stored data (including credentials, user accounts, site content).
3. File deletion: Chaining SQLi to file deletion expands impact beyond database corruption to loss of WordPress files, plugin/theme files, and possibly site backups or uploads.
4. Mass exploitation potential: Automated scanners and exploit scripts can quickly scan and attack thousands of sites once an exploit is public.
5. No official patch: Until the vendor issues a fixed release, vulnerable sites remain at risk unless mitigated.

Typical attack flow (how an attacker can exploit this)

1. Discovery: Attacker locates a publicly reachable plugin endpoint (for example, an AJAX action or a file under the plugin directory).
2. SQL Injection: The endpoint accepts parameters that are concatenated into SQL without proper escaping. The attacker sends payloads (e.g., UNION SELECT, boolean tests, time-based payloads) to confirm injection and extract information.
3. Database manipulation: Once SQLi is available, the attacker modifies records that control file access or file list entries (for example, pointers to files, file paths stored in a database table used by plugin code).
4. Trigger deletion: The plugin’s delete routine (which normally removes only intended files) uses data from the database and performs file operations on disk. Because the attacker controlled DB content, the delete routine will act on arbitrary files.
5. Cleanup and persistence: The attacker may delete log files, backups, or insert backdoors into other files to retain access.

Immediate action checklist (what to do in the next 60–120 minutes)

If you manage any WordPress site that has WPRecovery installed and the plugin version is ≤ 2.0, do the following now:

1. Take the site to maintenance mode if possible (to reduce automated scanning traffic).
2. If you can immediately access your WordPress admin, deactivate and delete the WPRecovery plugin. If you cannot access admin:
   • Use SFTP/SSH to remove or rename the plugin folder: wp-content/plugins/wprecovery → wprecovery.disabled
   • That halts plugin code from running.
3. Put the site into read-only mode if feasible (this prevents further destructive writes).
4. Snapshot your server (backup full filesystem and database) before further action — even if it’s already damaged, a snapshot helps forensic analysis.
5. If you operate a Web Application Firewall (WAF), enable strict protection rules (see suggested temporary WAF rules below).
6. Change critical credentials: WordPress admin passwords, database user password, hosting control panel credentials, and any API keys exposed in the database.
7. Check logs (webserver, PHP, database) for unusual requests to plugin endpoints or suspicious SQL payloads (see Detection section below).
8. If you detect signs of compromise (deleted files, new admin users, injected PHP files), start incident response and consider engaging a professional incident response provider.

If you cannot remove the plugin immediately, place access restrictions to the plugin directory via webserver configuration (deny direct access to plugin files) and block common exploit patterns via .htaccess / Nginx rules.

Recommended temporary WAF / Virtual patch rules

Until an official patch is available, virtual patching via a WAF is an essential last line of defense. Apply these rule types immediately and monitor for false positives. Tune rules gradually and test on staging if you have high-traffic sites.

1. Block requests to plugin paths
   • Deny GET/POST requests to URLs that contain:
     • /wp-content/plugins/wprecovery/
     • /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with an action parameter set equal to plugin-specific actions (if known)
   • If you cannot block the entire plugin path, block high-risk endpoints such as those exposing file operations.
2. SQLi pattern blocking
   • Block requests containing SQL injection signatures in any parameter or request body:
     • Payloads containing SQL keywords concatenated with quotes: “UNION SELECT”, “SELECT .* FROM”, “OR 1=1”, “AND 1=1”, “SLEEP(“, “BENCHMARK(“.
     • Statements with comments used to truncate queries: “–“, “/*”, “#”.
     • SQL meta-characters in parameters where only alphanumeric values are expected.
   • Deny requests that contain sequences like:
     (delete|drop|truncate|alter|update|insert)\s+(from|into) and directory traversal patterns like file=.+\.\./ or path=\.\./.
3. Prevent file deletion triggers
   • Block unauthenticated requests that include typical delete/remove parameters: “delete”, “remove”, “file”, “path”, “filename” when the request is not from a logged-in admin session.
   • Deny requests that try to pass absolute paths or parent directory traversals.
4. Enforce request origin and method
   • For sensitive actions, block any GET requests that perform state-changing operations. Permit only POST with valid referrer and CSRF token verification.
   • Rate-limit POST/GET requests to the plugin endpoints.
5. Behavioral rules
   • Detect and block requests that trigger repeated failed SQLi probes from the same IP.
   • Block requests with long parameter lengths and typical SQLi character distributions.
6. Block known bad user agents and scanners
   • Temporarily block overly generic user-agents used by scanners (be cautious of false positives).
7. Application hardening
   • Disable WordPress file editing (define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true) in wp-config.php).
   • Ensure file permissions prevent the PHP user from deleting critical files if possible.

Note: If you operate a WAF, apply the above virtual patch rules. If you do not operate a WAF, restrict access to plugin endpoints via webserver configuration and block suspicious patterns at the perimeter where possible.

Detection: signs an exploit may have been attempted or succeeded

Detecting pre- or post-exploitation activity is critical. Look for these indicators:

• Webserver/PHP logs:
  • Requests to plugin folders (wp-content/plugins/wprecovery/…), especially with suspicious query strings or large payloads.
  • Requests to admin-ajax.php with unknown “action” parameters or unexpected parameters.
  • POST requests with SQL keywords or comment markers in parameter values.
• Database anomalies:
  • Unexpected changes in tables that the plugin manages (file pointers, file lists, options stored by plugin).
  • New or altered entries in wp_options, plugin-specific tables, or rows with file paths you do not recognize.
  • Sudden deletion of rows or changes in counts.
• Filesystem anomalies:
  • Missing files from expected locations (uploads, plugin/theme files).
  • Deleted backups or compressed archives located under wp-content/uploads or plugin directories.
  • New or modified PHP files dropped in wp-content/uploads, wp-includes, or plugin/theme directories.
• WordPress admin indications:
  • New administrator users created.
  • Modified appearance or unexpected content changes.
• System logs / hosting:
  • Shell-level logs (if accessible) showing unlink, unlinkat, or rm commands run by the webserver process.
  • Elevated I/O or abnormal CPU spikes around the time of suspicious requests.

If you see any of the above signs, treat the site as compromised and launch a full incident response — see the remediation section below.

Step-by-step remediation and recovery plan

1. Contain
   • Immediately remove or disable the vulnerable plugin (rename the plugin folder via SFTP/SSH).
   • If you cannot remove it, restrict access to the plugin folder via webserver rules or deny all public access to the plugin’s endpoints.
   • If you detect active exploitation, take the site offline or place it into maintenance mode and limit access to known IP addresses.
2. Preserve evidence
   • Take a full filesystem and database snapshot. Preserve logs (webserver, PHP, database query logs).
   • If you will engage forensic services, do not overwrite logs or wipe systems.
3. Inventory and assess
   • Check for missing or modified files (compare to a clean backup or a fresh WP install).
   • Search for webshells or suspicious PHP files in non-standard locations: wp-content/uploads, wp-content/plugins, wp-includes.
   • Inspect database tables for unauthorized changes.
   • Review user accounts and authentication logs.
4. Remove malicious artifacts
   • Remove injected PHP backdoors and unauthorized admin users.
   • Restore deleted files from clean backups if available.
   • Replace any altered core, plugin, or theme files with clean versions from trusted sources.
5. Rotate credentials
   • Reset all WordPress admin passwords, database credentials, SFTP/SSH credentials, and API keys stored in the database.
   • Update any third-party keys that may have been exposed.
6. Rebuild and harden
   • If integrity is uncertain, rebuild the site from a known-good backup or from source (content + clean plugin versions).
   • Reinstall WordPress core files and plugins from official sources.
   • Set proper filesystem permissions and disable file edits in the dashboard (DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT).
   • Configure perimeter protections and virtual patch rules to block the vulnerability.
7. Monitor
   • Increase monitoring for repeated exploit attempts, new logins, or file changes.
   • Schedule additional scans for malware and integrity issues.
8. Post-incident reporting
   • Notify hosting provider and relevant stakeholders.
   • If sensitive data was exposed, follow applicable regulatory and notification requirements.

How to check whether your site is vulnerable

1. Inventory: Check your installed plugins list for WPRecovery and note the version.
2. Version check: If version ≤ 2.0, consider the site vulnerable.
3. If the plugin is active and you cannot remove it immediately, implement the WAF rules above or restrict access to plugin endpoints.
4. Scan logs for attempts described in the Detection section.
5. If you are unsure how to interpret logs or find signs of compromise, engage a qualified WordPress security professional.

Why virtual patching is important (and how it works)

Virtual patching provides a protective layer between attackers and your web application. It blocks attempts to exploit vulnerabilities by intercepting and sanitizing HTTP requests before they reach the vulnerable code. When the vendor has not released a patch (or you cannot update immediately), virtual patching buys you time and prevents mass exploitation.

Common virtual patch approaches:

• Signature-based rules: Block specific request patterns known to be used by the exploit.
• Heuristic rules: Identify suspicious request behavior that looks like SQLi probes or attempts to trigger file operations.
• Behavioral and rate-limiting controls: Stop repeated probes from the same IP and prevent scanning.
• Access control: Restrict endpoints to authenticated admin users or specific IP ranges.

Virtual patching is not a replacement for an official vendor patch — it is an emergency containment tool. Once an official fix is available, apply it promptly and then relax emergency rules as appropriate.

Preventing similar vulnerabilities in the future

The WPRecovery incident underlines common weaknesses in plugin development and site operations. Use these best practices to reduce similar risks:

1. Plugin vetting and minimal footprint
   • Only install plugins from reputable authors and with active maintenance.
   • Remove inactive plugins and themes.
   • Prefer plugins with clear security practices: parameterized database access, nonce checks, and input validation.
2. Principle of least privilege
   • Use a dedicated database user for WordPress with only required privileges (avoid granting DROP or other high-risk privileges if not needed).
   • Limit file permissions and separate backups from the main webroot.
3. Defensive coding practices (for plugin authors)
   • Always use prepared statements or the framework’s safe query APIs.
   • Sanitize and validate all user input.
   • Use nonces and capability checks for state-changing actions.
   • Avoid performing filesystem operations using untrusted input.
4. Hardening
   • Disable file editing in the dashboard.
   • Use server-level protections (mod_security rules, properly configured PHP/FPM user isolation).
   • Regularly update WordPress core, themes, and plugins.
5. Backups and restore procedures
   • Maintain recent, verified backups stored offsite and immutable where possible.
   • Test restore procedures regularly.
6. Monitoring
   • Implement file integrity monitoring, WAF logs review, and automated alerting on suspicious events.
   • Use intrusion detection for server-level events.

If your site was exploited — practical recovery timeline

• 0–2 hours: Contain the incident. Disable plugin and block exploit traffic. Take snapshots.
• 2–12 hours: Perform triage: logs, indicators of compromise, and extent of damage. Identify files deleted and data impacted.
• 12–48 hours: Clean or rebuild: remove backdoors, restore files from backups, rotate credentials, reinstall core/plugin/theme files.
• 48–96 hours: Harden and monitor: enable strict protections, test site functionality, and monitor for reinfection.
• 1–4 weeks: Review processes, implement long-term fixes (replace plugin with a secure alternative or updated version when available), and conduct a full security audit.

Example WAF rule snippets (conceptual)

Below are illustrative patterns — adapt to your platform. Avoid blocking broadly without testing.

IF request.uri CONTAINS "/wp-content/plugins/wprecovery/" THEN BLOCK

IF request.body MATCHES "(?i)(union(\s+all)?\s+select|select\s+.*\s+from|or\s+1=1|sleep\(|benchmark\(|--|/\*|#)" THEN BLOCK

IF request.params CONTAINS any("delete","remove","filename","path") AND NOT session.is_admin THEN BLOCK

IF request.uri CONTAINS "/admin-ajax.php" AND request.param.action == "wprecovery_*" THEN RATE_LIMIT 10 requests/minute per IP

These are conceptual; your firewall console will require specific syntax and whitelisting exceptions.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Should I immediately delete WPRecovery from all sites?

A: If you don’t actively use the plugin, remove it. If you do use it, assess risks carefully: remove/disable until a vendor-provided patch is available or you have strong virtual patching and access restrictions in place.

Q: If my site had files deleted, is it necessarily compromised?

A: If arbitrary files were deleted, assume compromise. Attackers often delete logs/backups to cover tracks. Perform a full forensic sweep.

Q: What about restoring from backups?

A: Restore from a backup taken before the compromise. Ensure that the vulnerability does not reintroduce the attacker (apply virtual patching or remove the plugin before reconnecting the restored site to the public).

Q: Can a WAF fully protect my site?

A: A properly configured WAF is highly effective at stopping exploit attempts, but it is not a replacement for secure code and vendor patches. Use WAF as an emergency mitigation and continue to plan for a permanent fix.

Final notes — urgent and practical

• Treat CVE-2025-10726 as an emergency. The combination of unauthenticated SQLi and file deletion is among the highest risk patterns.
• If the WPRecovery plugin exists on any site you manage and is version 2.0 or older, act now: remove or disable the plugin OR protect it with immediate perimeter and virtual patch rules.
• Virtual patching is your fastest bridge to safety when an official patch is unavailable. If you don’t operate a WAF today, enable perimeter controls and restrict access to plugin endpoints where possible while you fix the underlying problem.
• Document all steps you take and preserve logs and evidence. If your site was targeted, you may need those artifacts for forensic analysis or regulatory reporting.

If you require assistance, engage a trusted security professional or an incident response provider experienced with WordPress. Quick containment and careful forensic work will reduce long-term impact.

Stay safe — treat this vulnerability with the urgency it deserves.

— Hong Kong Security Expert