CVE-2026-27538 in WP Directory Kit Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/13/2026
Unauthenticated SQL Injection in WP Directory Kit <= 1.5.4 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2026
The WP Directory Kit plugin for wordpress represents a critical security vulnerability through an unauthenticated sql injection flaw affecting versions 1.5.4 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's handling of user input parameters that are directly incorporated into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The flaw allows any remote attacker to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database without requiring authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the target website. The vulnerability typically manifests when the plugin processes GET or POST parameters in its directory listing or search functionality, where user-supplied data flows directly into sql query construction.
The technical implementation of this sql injection vulnerability stems from improper input validation and query building practices within the plugin's core codebase. When legitimate users interact with directory listings, search features, or category browsing functions, the plugin fails to properly escape or parameterize user-provided values before incorporating them into database queries. This creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate sql syntax through crafted input sequences that can alter the intended query execution flow. The vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which catalogs sql injection as a fundamental flaw in application security where untrusted data is embedded directly into sql commands. Attackers can leverage this weakness to extract sensitive information from the database including user credentials, personal data, and administrative access details.
Operationally this vulnerability presents severe implications for wordpress site owners and their users. An attacker exploiting this flaw can potentially gain read access to all stored data within the affected database, including user accounts with associated passwords, personal information, and plugin configuration settings. The unauthenticated nature means that malicious actors do not require any prior access credentials to begin exploitation, making it an attractive target for automated scanning tools and opportunistic attackers. Additionally, the vulnerability may enable more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or data manipulation, potentially allowing attackers to modify or delete directory listings, alter user permissions, or even inject malicious code into the database. According to the attack technique framework, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1213 which covers data from information repositories and T1566 which encompasses credential access through various attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from affected site administrators through comprehensive patching procedures and additional security measures. The primary solution involves upgrading to WP Directory Kit version 1.5.5 or later, where the sql injection vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and parameterized query construction. Site owners should also implement additional defensive mechanisms such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious sql injection patterns, database query monitoring systems that alert on unusual query execution patterns, and regular security audits of third-party plugins. Input validation should be strengthened at multiple levels including client-side and server-side processing to ensure that all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before any database interaction occurs. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems and database activity logging can help identify exploitation attempts and provide forensic evidence for incident response activities. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls for database accounts used by the wordpress application to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.