Description
The WPML Multilingual CMS plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to time-based SQL Injection via the ‘elementIds’ parameter in all versions up to, and including, 4.9.5 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database. This vulnerability is exploitable due to an authorization bypass where the registered authorization callback fails to execute, allowing any authenticated user regardless of role to access administrative translation functionalities.
Published: 2026-09-08
Score: 6.5 Medium
EPSS: n/a
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

The WPML Multilingual CMS plugin for WordPress has a time‑based SQL injection flaw in the elementIds parameter in all versions up to 4.9.5. Insufficient escaping and lack of prepared statements allow an attacker to append malicious SQL to existing queries, enabling extraction of sensitive database contents. The vulnerability is coupled with an authorization bypass that lets any authenticated user with Subscriber level or higher access administrative translation functions.

Affected Systems

WPML Multilingual CMS by WPML, versions up to and including 4.9.5.

Risk and Exploitability

The issue carries a CVSS score of 6.5, indicating medium severity. Although no EPSS score is available and it is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, the requirement for only an authenticated Subscriber account lowers the entry barrier for exploitation. With the bypassed authorization checks, an attacker can execute the injection to read database data, which threatens confidentiality of site contents, user information, and metadata. The risk is significant for installations that allow wide Subscriber access to translation features and that have not been patched to a later version.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 8, 2026 at 12:21 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Upgrade WPML Multilingual CMS to a version newer than 4.9.5.
  • Restrict administrative translation capabilities to administrators only, removing Subscriber role access.
  • Implement input validation or a web application firewall rule to sanitize the elementIds parameter and prevent SQL injection attempts.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 8, 2026 at 12:21 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

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History

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 12:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Wordpress
Wordpress wordpress
Wpml
Wpml wpml Multilingual Cms
Vendors & Products Wordpress
Wordpress wordpress
Wpml
Wpml wpml Multilingual Cms

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description The WPML Multilingual CMS plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to time-based SQL Injection via the ‘elementIds’ parameter in all versions up to, and including, 4.9.5 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database. This vulnerability is exploitable due to an authorization bypass where the registered authorization callback fails to execute, allowing any authenticated user regardless of role to access administrative translation functionalities.
Title WPML Multilingual CMS <= 4.9.5 - Incorrect Authorization to Authenticated (Subscriber+) SQL Injection via ‘elementIds’
Weaknesses CWE-89
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'}


Subscriptions

Wordpress Wordpress
Wpml Wpml Multilingual Cms
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Wordfence

Published:

Updated: 2026-09-08T12:18:11.912Z

Reserved: 2026-07-27T00:02:31.321Z

Link: CVE-2026-17509

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-09-08T12:16:53.157

Modified: 2026-09-08T12:16:53.157

Link: CVE-2026-17509

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-09-08T12:30:17Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-89

    Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')