CVE-2025-4222: 
WordPress vulnerability analysis and mitigation

The Database Toolset plugin for WordPress contains a Sensitive Information Exposure vulnerability (CVE-2025-4222) discovered on May 2, 2025. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.8.4, impacting over 800 active installations. The security flaw was discovered by security researcher Guy Shavit and allows unauthenticated attackers to access sensitive database backup files stored in publicly accessible locations (NVD CVE, Wiz Report).

The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS v3.1 score of 5.9 (Medium) with the vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. The flaw exists because database backups are stored in a predictable, publicly accessible directory under '/wp-content/uploads/export/database/' with filenames following a specific format. While an index file provides some protection, requiring successful brute force attempts to compromise data, the fundamental security design flaw lies in storing sensitive backups in an unauthenticated, web-accessible location (Guy's Blog).

If successfully exploited, attackers can gain unauthorized access to sensitive database backup files containing confidential information such as user data, configuration settings, WordPress admin username and password hashes, and other critical database contents. This exposure could lead to a complete breach of confidentiality and potentially result in full website compromise if password hashes are successfully cracked (Guy's Blog, Wiz Report).

Website administrators running the Database Toolset plugin should immediately update to a version newer than 1.8.4 if available. In the interim, it is recommended to implement additional access controls or restrictions on the backup file directory to prevent unauthorized access. Security experts suggest storing backups outside the web root and applying proper access control to all sensitive resources (Wiz Report).