CVE-2026-15458 in SEO Booster Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/16/2026
The SEO Booster plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to generic SQL Injection via the 'sort_field' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 7.3.1 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 administrator-level access and above, to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2026
The SEO Booster plugin for WordPress represents a significant security vulnerability through its susceptibility to generic SQL injection attacks, specifically targeting the 'sort_field' parameter within versions up to and including 7.3.1. This flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into database queries. The vulnerability manifests when authenticated attackers with administrator-level privileges or higher exploit this weakness to manipulate existing SQL statements through crafted input values.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability directly relates to CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection flaws as weaknesses occurring when untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by injecting malicious SQL code through the sort_field parameter, effectively appending additional SQL commands to existing database operations. This allows for arbitrary query execution within the context of the WordPress application's database connection, bypassing normal access controls and authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data extraction to encompass full database compromise capabilities. Authenticated administrators with sufficient privileges can utilize this vulnerability to access sensitive information including user credentials, configuration details, and potentially other system data stored within the WordPress database. The attack vector requires minimal privilege escalation since the attacker already possesses administrator-level access, making the exploitation straightforward and highly effective.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the SEO Booster plugin where available, implementing proper input validation at all parameter entry points, and establishing robust parameterized query execution patterns. Organizations should also consider network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious SQL injection patterns and implement database activity monitoring to detect unauthorized query execution attempts. Additionally, following principle of least privilege practices ensures that even if exploitation occurs, the impact remains limited to the compromised administrative account's permissions. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1213 which addresses data from information repositories, emphasizing the critical nature of protecting administrative access points within web applications.