CVE-2026-104694 in Thrive Automator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2026
The Thrive Automator WordPress plugin before 11.2 does not properly sanitize and escape a parameter's array key before using it in a SQL query, allowing authenticated attackers with editor-level access to perform blind SQL injection attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2026
The vulnerability identified in the Thrive Automator WordPress plugin prior to version 11.2 represents a critical security flaw rooted in insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Specifically, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape array keys derived from user-supplied data before incorporating them into SQL query construction logic. This oversight creates an avenue for blind Structured Query Language injection attacks, which are particularly dangerous because they do not return direct output to the attacker but instead allow inference of database contents through side-channel effects such as time delays or boolean-based responses. The flaw is significant because it affects a widely used automation plugin within the WordPress ecosystem, potentially exposing numerous websites that rely on this tool for workflow integration and data processing tasks.
From a technical perspective, the root cause lies in the handling of dynamic array keys during database operations. When an authenticated user with editor-level privileges interacts with specific features of the Thrive Automator plugin, they can manipulate input parameters where these values are used as identifiers or keys within SQL statements. Because WordPress and its associated plugins often utilize prepared statements for direct value insertion, developers may incorrectly assume that using array keys is inherently safe since keys are not typically passed directly into parameterized placeholders in the same way scalar values are. However, if the application constructs queries by interpolating these keys directly into the SQL string without adequate validation against a whitelist of expected identifiers or proper escaping functions like mysql_real_escape_string equivalents for modern databases, an attacker can inject malicious syntax. This bypasses standard protection mechanisms designed to prevent injection attacks on value parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial due to the privilege level required and the nature of blind SQL injection. While authenticated access with editor-level rights might seem restrictive compared to administrator privileges, it still grants significant control over site content and configuration. An attacker leveraging this flaw can extract sensitive data from the WordPress database, including user credentials, session tokens, plugin configurations, and potentially other stored information depending on the specific query structure exploited. Since blind SQL injection relies on inference rather than direct error messages or result sets, attackers must employ sophisticated techniques such as time-based payloads to determine if their injected commands are executing successfully. This process can be slow but is often undetectable by standard web application firewalls that focus on obvious injection patterns in visible output fields.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which covers Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly known as SQL Injection. Furthermore, it maps to the MITRE ATT&CK framework under technique T1059, specifically subtechniques related to command scripting or database commands depending on how the injection is executed and what actions are performed post-exploitation. The lack of proper sanitization for array keys highlights a gap in secure coding practices where developers may overlook non-standard input vectors like associative array indices when implementing security controls.
To mitigate this risk, immediate action should be taken by updating the Thrive Automator plugin to version 11.2 or later, which addresses these specific validation gaps. For organizations unable to update immediately due to compatibility concerns, temporary mitigations include restricting editor-level access to trusted individuals only and monitoring server logs for unusual database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing a Web Application Firewall with rules tuned to detect blind SQL injection signatures can provide an additional layer of defense by blocking malicious payloads before they reach the application logic. Long-term remediation involves adopting secure coding standards that enforce strict input validation on all data points used in dynamic queries, including array keys, and utilizing parameterized queries or ORM frameworks that abstract away direct SQL construction to minimize human error in security implementation.