CVE-2026-76557 in WP Import Export Lite Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/16/2026
The WP Import Export Lite WordPress plugin before 3.9.33 does not properly sanitise and escape some import configuration values before using them in SQL statements, allowing users whose role an administrator has granted the WP Import Export Lite WordPress plugin before 3.9.33's import permission to perform SQL injection attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2026
The vulnerability identified in versions of the WP Import Export Lite WordPress plugin prior to version 3.9.33 represents a critical security flaw rooted in insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Specifically, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape specific configuration values associated with import operations before these inputs are incorporated into SQL queries executed against the underlying database. This deficiency allows authenticated users who have been granted administrative privileges for this particular plugin to manipulate the structure of database commands. By injecting malicious SQL code through the import configuration interface, an attacker can bypass intended access controls and interact directly with the database backend in ways that were not anticipated by the software developers.
From a technical perspective, this flaw is classified under CWE-89, which denotes Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly known as SQL Injection. The root cause lies in the failure to apply parameterized queries or robust escaping functions such as wpdb::prepare() when handling user-supplied data during the import process. Instead of treating input strictly as data, the application processes it as executable code within the context of a database query. This architectural oversight enables an attacker to alter the logic of SQL statements, potentially leading to unauthorized data retrieval, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability is particularly severe because it requires only administrative privileges for the specific plugin rather than full site administrator access, which may be less strictly monitored by some security teams who focus primarily on core WordPress capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple database manipulation. Successful exploitation can lead to a complete compromise of the web application and its underlying infrastructure. An attacker could extract sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, or proprietary business content stored within the WordPress database. Furthermore, depending on the configuration of the MySQL server and the privileges granted to the database user account running the web application, an attacker might escalate their access to execute operating system commands via features like mysql_udf or by writing malicious files directly to the disk if write permissions are enabled. This effectively turns a seemingly benign import feature into a powerful remote code execution vector, undermining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the entire WordPress installation.
In terms of threat modeling and industry frameworks, this vulnerability aligns with MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to SQL Injection for data exfiltration or privilege escalation. The attack path typically involves an authenticated user navigating to the plugin's import interface, modifying configuration parameters to include malicious payloads such as UNION SELECT statements or boolean-based blind injection strings, and submitting these values to trigger the vulnerable query. This behavior is consistent with lateral movement within a compromised environment where attackers leverage existing high-privilege accounts to expand their foothold. The lack of proper sanitization means that even users with limited administrative scopes can achieve disproportionate damage due to the direct link between user input and database execution logic.
To mitigate this vulnerability, immediate action must be taken by upgrading the WP Import Export Lite plugin to version 3.9.33 or later, where these input validation issues have been addressed. Developers should ensure that all future updates adhere to secure coding practices by implementing strict whitelisting for expected inputs and utilizing prepared statements with bound parameters for all database interactions involving user-supplied data. Additionally, organizations running this plugin on their WordPress sites should verify the version installed across all environments and apply patches promptly. Security monitoring tools can be configured to detect anomalous SQL query patterns originating from import endpoints, providing an additional layer of defense against exploitation attempts while patching procedures are completed. Regular security audits and code reviews focusing on database interaction layers are recommended to prevent similar flaws in other plugins or custom themes that may share this architectural weakness.