CVE-2026-5097 in wpForo Forum Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/28/2026
The wpForo Forum plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the 'referer' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 2.4.17. This is due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2026
The wpForo Forum plugin, a widely utilized extension for WordPress environments designed to facilitate community discussions and user engagement, has been identified with a critical security flaw affecting all versions up through 2.4.17. This vulnerability manifests as an SQL Injection (SQLi) issue rooted in the handling of the referer parameter within the application logic. The core technical deficiency lies in the insufficient sanitization and validation mechanisms applied to user-supplied input before it is incorporated into database queries. Specifically, the plugin fails to properly escape special characters or utilize prepared statements with bound parameters when processing this specific variable. This lack of rigorous data handling allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands directly into the backend query structure, bypassing intended security controls and altering the execution flow of legitimate database operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability is particularly severe because it can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers. Unlike many web application vulnerabilities that require user login or specific privileges, this flaw does not demand any form of authentication, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for exploitation. An attacker can craft a malicious HTTP request containing specially crafted payloads within the referer header or parameter field. When processed by the vulnerable plugin instance, these inputs are executed as part of SQL statements against the WordPress database. The primary impact involves the unauthorized extraction of sensitive information stored in the database. This data may include user credentials, email addresses, session tokens, and other personally identifiable information associated with forum participants. Furthermore, depending on the specific capabilities enabled by the underlying Database Management System, an attacker might potentially modify or delete existing records, leading to complete compromise of data integrity and availability within the affected WordPress installation.
This vulnerability aligns closely with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) identifiers such as CWE-89 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, which categorizes flaws where software does not properly neutralize special elements that could alter SQL commands. Additionally, from a tactical standpoint related to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this exploitation vector corresponds to techniques involving Database Query Injection under the T1190 category for Initial Access or Data Exfiltration phases depending on the attacker's objective. The ability of unauthenticated users to interact with the database backend represents a significant breach in the principle of least privilege and input validation standards expected in modern web application development practices.
To mitigate this risk, administrators must immediately update the wpForo plugin to version 2.4.18 or later, where these sanitization issues have been addressed by the developers through improved input handling protocols. Until an upgrade is feasible, implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules specifically tuned to detect and block SQL injection patterns in HTTP headers can provide a layer of defense against exploitation attempts. It is also advisable for site administrators to review server logs for suspicious activity indicative of probing or successful exploitation attempts involving the referer parameter. Regular security audits and adherence to secure coding standards that mandate strict input validation and output encoding are essential preventive measures to safeguard WordPress ecosystems from similar injection-based threats in the future.