CVE-2026-73388 in Nikstore Core Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/19/2026
Unauthenticated SQL Injection in Nikstore Core <= 1.5 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2026
The vulnerability identified as an unauthenticated SQL injection flaw within Nikstore Core versions prior to or equal to 1.5 represents a critical security deficiency that allows remote attackers to interfere with database queries executed by the application. This type of vulnerability arises when software constructs SQL statements using user-supplied input without adequate validation, escaping, or parameterization. In the context of web applications like Nikstore, which typically handle e-commerce data including product listings, customer information, and transaction records, such a flaw provides an attacker with direct access to the underlying database management system. The absence of authentication requirements for this specific vector significantly exacerbates the risk, as it eliminates the need for valid credentials or session tokens, thereby lowering the barrier to entry for malicious actors and enabling exploitation by any internet user who can reach the vulnerable endpoint.
From a technical perspective, SQL injection occurs when an application incorporates external data into a SQL query string without properly sanitizing special characters such as single quotes, double quotes, semicolons, or comment sequences. If Nikstore Core fails to distinguish between code and data in these input fields, an attacker can inject malicious SQL commands that alter the logic of the original query. This could involve appending conditions to bypass authentication checks, extracting sensitive data from other tables via union-based techniques, or executing administrative operations on the database server depending on the privileges assigned to the application's database user account. The specific mechanics often rely on manipulating input parameters passed through HTTP requests, such as GET queries or POST body content, where the backend code directly concatenates these values into SQL statements rather than using prepared statements with parameterized queries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive business data, including customer personally identifiable information, payment details, and internal configuration settings. Attackers may also use the injection point to modify or delete records within the database, potentially disrupting service availability or altering pricing and inventory levels for malicious gain. Furthermore, depending on the database engine and its configuration, SQL injection can sometimes be leveraged to execute operating system commands on the host server through features like xp_cmdshell in Microsoft SQL Server or LOAD_FILE in MySQL, leading to a complete compromise of the underlying infrastructure. This transforms a simple data exposure risk into a potential full system takeover scenario, affecting not only the Nikstore application but also any other systems connected to the same database network.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-89, which specifically describes Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly known as SQL Injection. Additionally, from a tactical perspective related to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this flaw facilitates techniques associated with Data Exfiltration and potentially Privilege Escalation if the database user has elevated permissions. The lack of authentication required for exploitation places it within the initial access or discovery phases depending on whether the attacker is actively probing for vulnerabilities or exploiting a known entry point to gain deeper foothold in the network environment.
To mitigate this vulnerability, immediate action must be taken by upgrading Nikstore Core to version 1.6 or later where these issues have been addressed through code remediation and security hardening practices. For organizations unable to upgrade immediately due to compatibility constraints, implementing a Web Application Firewall with rulesets tuned for SQL injection detection can provide an additional layer of defense by filtering malicious payloads before they reach the application logic. Developers should also conduct a thorough review of all database interaction points within the codebase to ensure that parameterized queries or stored procedures are used exclusively instead of string concatenation for building SQL commands. Input validation using allowlists for expected data formats and types further reduces the attack surface by rejecting unexpected characters before they can be processed by the backend systems.