CVE-2026-17044 in File Upload Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/09/2026
The Iptanus File Upload WordPress plugin before 5.1.8 does not properly sanitise and escape a parameter before using it in a SQL statement, leading to an SQL injection exploitable by unauthenticated users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2026
The vulnerability resides within the Iptanus File Upload WordPress plugin version 5.1.7 and earlier, where insufficient input validation and sanitisation mechanisms allow malicious actors to manipulate database queries through user-controllable parameters. This flaw exists in the plugin's handling of file upload operations and related administrative functions that interact with the WordPress database backend. The absence of proper parameter sanitisation creates a direct pathway for SQL injection attacks, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system without requiring authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied data within SQL query construction logic. When the plugin processes file upload requests or related administrative operations, it incorporates unsanitized parameters directly into SQL statements without appropriate escaping or parameter binding mechanisms. This pattern violates fundamental secure coding practices and creates an exploitable entry point where attackers can inject malicious SQL fragments that bypass normal authentication and authorization controls. The vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's database interaction layers during file management operations, making it particularly dangerous in environments where WordPress serves as a content management platform with extensive user interaction.
The operational impact of this unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability is significant and multifaceted across multiple security domains. Attackers can leverage this weakness to extract sensitive data including user credentials, administrative information, and confidential content stored within the WordPress database. The vulnerability enables potential data manipulation, allowing malicious actors to modify or delete database entries, which could compromise the integrity of the entire website. Additionally, successful exploitation may provide attackers with persistent access to backend systems, potentially enabling them to establish backdoors, escalate privileges, or use the compromised system as a staging ground for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The unauthenticated nature of this vulnerability means that even users without valid accounts can exploit it, making the attack surface much broader than typical authenticated vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate plugin updates to version 5.1.8 or later, which contain the necessary sanitisation and escaping mechanisms to prevent parameter injection. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers including application-level filters, database query parameterization, and regular security scanning of WordPress installations. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, while database access controls should be reviewed to ensure minimal privilege exposure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or custom code within the WordPress ecosystem, as this type of injection flaw commonly occurs in legacy systems where proper input sanitisation was not adequately implemented.