Romanian international Ganea ended Wolves' run of four successive draws with a priceless strike seven minutes before half-time.
The goal also left Wolves just one short of becoming the first club to score 7,000 league goals.
Leeds, who had inflicted Wolves' first defeat of the season at Elland Road in August, only really threatened briefly in the first half.
While they enjoyed more possession in the second period, even the non-stop running of Shaun Derry and the endeavour of Eddie Lewis could not inspire them to find an equaliser.
Their frustrating day was summed up after 83 minutes when full-back Simon Walton was sent off following his second booking for a foul on Kenny Miller.
Wolves were dominant in the opening stages but still needed two wonder saves from Stefan Postma to keep them on level terms before Ganea struck.
Neil Sullivan had prevented Wolves taking a fourth minute lead when he denied Lee Naylor with a smart one-handed stop.
But Sullivan's heroics did not compare with Postma's double save in Leeds' first attack after 35 minutes.
First the Dutchman produced a point-blank save from Matthew Kilgallon's header and then used his legs to turn away the follow-up from David Healy.
It proved to be a vital intervention as Wolves were ahead three minutes later after a spell of pressure.
In the 36th minute, Tom Huddlestone hit the bar from 20 yards before Sullivan pulled off a one-handed save to deny Ganea from the rebound.
But he was powerless to stop Wolves moving ahead when Naylor whipped in a left-wing cross that Seol mis-hit back across the face of the goal.
His attempt at a shot turned into a pass for Ganea who was able to stab the ball home from six yards.