CVE-2026-16959 in Media Library Assistant Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/21/2026
The Media Library Assistant WordPress plugin before 3.40 does not validate a search parameter before concatenating it into a SQL query in one of its media-library query handlers, allowing users with the Author role to perform SQL injection.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2026
The vulnerability identified in versions of the Media Library Assistant WordPress plugin prior to release 3.40 represents a critical security flaw rooted in insufficient input validation and improper handling of user-supplied data within database operations. Specifically, the defect resides in one of the plugin's media-library query handlers where a search parameter is accepted from the HTTP request without adequate sanitization or type checking before being directly concatenated into an SQL statement. This architectural oversight allows for the injection of malicious SQL code through crafted input fields that are intended to filter or search media library items, thereby bypassing standard security controls designed to isolate application logic from database execution contexts.
From a technical perspective, this flaw is classified as CWE-89 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly known as SQL Injection. The attacker exploits the lack of parameterized queries or prepared statements by injecting syntactically correct but semantically malicious SQL fragments into the search input field. Because WordPress typically assigns distinct roles to users with varying levels of privilege, this vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited by authenticated users holding even low-privilege accounts such as Author or Contributor. In many WordPress configurations, these lower-level roles are trusted not to execute complex administrative actions, yet they possess the capability to interact with media upload and management features that trigger the vulnerable code path.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for data exfiltration and system compromise. An attacker leveraging this SQL injection can manipulate database queries to retrieve sensitive information stored in the WordPress database, including user credentials, configuration details containing API keys or secret tokens, and potentially other site-specific content. Furthermore, depending on the underlying Database Management System and server configuration, advanced exploitation techniques could allow for remote code execution, leading to full control over the web application and the hosting environment. This undermines the integrity of the entire website infrastructure and poses significant risks to data privacy compliance standards such as GDPR or HIPAA if personal identifiable information is exposed.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate remediation through software updates alongside broader defensive coding practices. The primary solution is to upgrade the Media Library Assistant plugin to version 3.40 or later, where this specific input validation issue has been addressed by developers implementing proper escaping mechanisms and utilizing WordPress database API functions that support prepared statements. For organizations unable to update immediately due to compatibility constraints, temporary mitigations include restricting access to media library features for lower-privilege roles via custom role management plugins or web application firewalls configured to detect SQL injection patterns in search parameters. Long-term resilience requires enforcing strict input validation principles across all plugin development cycles and adopting secure coding standards that prioritize parameterized queries over string concatenation when interacting with database systems, aligning with OWASP guidelines for preventing injection attacks.