CVE-2026-12941 in MultiVendorX Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/16/2026
The MultiVendorX – WooCommerce Multivendor Marketplace AI Powered Solutions plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to generic SQL Injection via the 'order_by' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 5.0.9 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 by any authenticated subscriber-level user when the plugin's store approval setting is configured to automatically approve store owners (described as the default), as this allows any logged-in user to self-register as a store_owner via the public Stores REST endpoint, thereby obtaining the edit_stores capability required to reach the vulnerable transactions endpoint.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2026
The vulnerability exists within the MultiVendorX plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions through 5.0.9, where a generic SQL injection flaw has been identified in the order_by parameter handling. This represents a critical security weakness that stems from inadequate input sanitization and improper query preparation mechanisms. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with subscriber-level privileges or higher to manipulate database queries through crafted input, potentially enabling unauthorized data extraction and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin processes user-supplied order_by parameters without proper escaping or parameterization. According to CWE-89, this constitutes a classic SQL injection vulnerability where insufficient input validation permits malicious SQL code to be appended to existing database queries. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates within the WordPress ecosystem where plugins often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive user data. Attackers can exploit this weakness through the plugin's REST API endpoints, specifically targeting transactions-related functionality that processes order_by parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to manipulate database queries in ways that could expose sensitive information including user credentials, transaction records, and store owner details. The default configuration of the plugin's store approval system creates an additional attack vector since it allows any logged-in user to register as a store owner through the public Stores REST endpoint. This configuration effectively lowers the privilege barrier for exploitation, transforming what might otherwise be a limited vulnerability into a more dangerous threat that can be leveraged by any authenticated user.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 (Data from Information Repositories) and T1566.002 (Phishing via Service) as it enables data extraction through legitimate service access points. The attack surface is particularly wide given that the plugin's default settings create a path for unprivileged users to acquire the necessary capabilities. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation flaws can compound when combined with weak privilege controls and exposed API endpoints.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate patching of the plugin to version 5.0.10 or later, which addresses the SQL injection vulnerability through proper parameterization and input sanitization. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including restricting access to REST API endpoints, implementing rate limiting for authentication attempts, and conducting regular security audits of WordPress plugins. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by reviewing the plugin's default settings and ensuring that store approval mechanisms are properly configured to prevent unauthorized store owner registration.
Administrators should consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and parameterized queries in all database interactions, particularly within WordPress plugins where user input often flows directly into database operations. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual REST API access patterns and unauthorized privilege escalation attempts that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.
Additional security controls should address the root cause of the privilege escalation path through the default store approval configuration. Organizations should review their plugin configurations to ensure that automatic store approval is disabled unless explicitly required for business operations, and implement proper role-based access controls to limit who can register as store owners. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of how default security configurations can create unexpected attack vectors and the necessity of regularly reviewing and hardening plugin settings.