CVE-2026-111402 in Newsletters Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/24/2026
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Tribulant Software Newsletters newsletters-lite allows SQL Injection.This issue affects Newsletters: from n/a through 4.18.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2026
The identified security flaw represents a classic instance of Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly referred to as SQL injection. This vulnerability resides within the Tribulant Software Newsletters plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions ranging from n/a through 4.18.1. The core technical deficiency lies in the application's failure to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamic database queries. When an attacker constructs a malicious payload containing SQL syntax and submits it through any vulnerable parameter within the plugin, the backend database engine interprets this input as executable code rather than data. This breakdown in input validation allows the attacker to manipulate the structure of the original query, effectively bypassing intended logical controls and executing arbitrary commands against the underlying database system.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability is severe due to the privileged nature of web application databases. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the WordPress environment, including user credentials, personal data associated with newsletter subscribers, and administrative configuration details. Attackers may also utilize SQL injection techniques to modify or delete existing records, potentially disrupting service availability by corrupting essential tables. In more advanced scenarios, if the database server permits it, an attacker might leverage this flaw to execute operating system commands on the host machine, thereby achieving full compromise of the web server infrastructure. This level of access undermines the confidentiality, integrity, and availability principles that are central to information security frameworks.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes issues related to SQL injection flaws where special elements in an SQL command are not neutralized before use. Furthermore, from a tactical standpoint as defined by the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this flaw facilitates techniques associated with Collection and Credential Access, specifically allowing adversaries to query database contents or extract login credentials for further lateral movement within a network environment. The lack of parameterized queries or prepared statements in the affected codebase is the primary technical root cause, highlighting a common oversight in legacy plugin development where direct string concatenation is used to build SQL statements instead of utilizing safe abstraction layers provided by modern frameworks.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term defensive posture improvements. The most effective solution is for administrators to upgrade the Tribulant Software Newsletters plugin to version 4.18.2 or later, where this specific input validation flaw has been patched. For organizations unable to update immediately due to compatibility constraints, implementing a Web Application Firewall can provide an additional layer of defense by detecting and blocking common SQL injection patterns in HTTP requests before they reach the application logic. Additionally, developers should adhere to secure coding standards that mandate the use of parameterized queries or stored procedures for all database interactions, ensuring that user input is always treated as data rather than executable code. Regular security audits and static analysis tools can also help identify similar vulnerabilities across other plugins in the WordPress ecosystem, reducing the overall attack surface.