Description
The WP Directory Kit WordPress plugin before 1.5.6 does not sanitise and escape a parameter before using it in a SQL statement, leading to a SQL injection exploitable by unauthenticated users when a non-default search field type is configured.
Published: 2026-08-12
Score: 8.6 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

The WP Directory Kit WordPress plugin before version 1.5.6 fails to sanitize and escape user supplied input in the search_location and search_category parameters. This omission allows an unauthenticated attacker to inject arbitrary SQL statements through the search interface when a non‑default search field type is configured. If the injected query succeeds, the attacker could read, modify or delete database contents, thereby compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected WordPress site.

Affected Systems

All WordPress installations running WP Directory Kit plugin versions older than 1.5.6 are susceptible. The plugin provides directory functionality exposed via web forms, and any site that has not upgraded to the fixed release (1.5.6 or later) remains vulnerable.

Risk and Exploitability

Because the vulnerability is exploitable without any credentials, the attack surface is unrestricted. Exploitation would involve sending a crafted search request containing malicious SQL to the vulnerable endpoint, which would execute the query against the backend database. While no EPSS score is currently available, the absence of authentication requirements and the high potential impact render this a severe risk. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 12, 2026 at 13:27 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Upgrade WP Directory Kit to version 1.5.6 or later
  • If upgrading is not immediately possible, remove or disable the plugin until the patch is applied
  • Restrict the WordPress database user privileges to the minimum required for plugin functionality to limit potential damage from a successful injection
  • Monitor WordPress logs for unusual SQL query patterns and unauthorized access attempts

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 12, 2026 at 13:27 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-89
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.6, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Wed, 12 Aug 2026 06:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description The WP Directory Kit WordPress plugin before 1.5.6 does not sanitise and escape a parameter before using it in a SQL statement, leading to a SQL injection exploitable by unauthenticated users when a non-default search field type is configured.
Title WP Directory Kit < 1.5.6 - Unauthenticated SQL Injection via search_location and search_category
References

Subscriptions

No data.

cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: WPScan

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-12T12:34:27.211Z

Reserved: 2026-07-31T09:35:37.902Z

Link: CVE-2026-18474

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-08-12T12:34:04.069Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-08-12T06:20:14.283

Modified: 2026-08-12T13:17:20.247

Link: CVE-2026-18474

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-12T13:30:04Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-89

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