CVE-2026-73344 in Data Access Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/13/2026
Author Cross Site Scripting (XSS) in WP Data Access <= 5.5.79 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2026
The vulnerability identified as author cross site scripting in WP Data Access plugin affects versions up to and including 5.5.79, representing a critical security flaw that allows unauthorized execution of malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser session. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as cross site scripting attacks. The WP Data Access plugin serves as a database management tool for wordpress installations, facilitating data access and display functionalities that make it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit web application vulnerabilities.
The technical implementation of this XSS flaw occurs when the plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape user-controllable input parameters before rendering them within HTML output contexts. When authors or administrators interact with the plugin's interface, particularly in areas where user-generated content is displayed without adequate sanitization measures, malicious actors can inject crafted script payloads that execute in the browser of unsuspecting users. This vulnerability specifically affects the author functionality of the plugin, suggesting that when displaying author information or handling author-related data inputs, the application does not adequately validate or escape special characters that could be interpreted as executable code by web browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the wordpress environment. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal administrative credentials, modify content, inject malware, or redirect users to malicious websites. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that many wordpress installations rely on plugins for core functionality, making this vulnerability potentially exploitable across numerous web applications. The threat model aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which focuses on credential harvesting through social engineering and malicious code execution in web browsers.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of WP Data Access should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to the latest plugin version where the vulnerability has been patched, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script payloads. Security measures should also include regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments of wordpress installations to identify potential XSS vectors within plugins and themes. The patching process must be prioritized as this vulnerability represents a high-risk threat that could lead to complete compromise of the affected wordpress installation, potentially enabling attackers to gain persistent access and control over sensitive data and system resources through successful exploitation of the cross site scripting flaw.