CVE-2026-82227 in WPBulky Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/28/2026
Contributor SQL Injection in WPBulky <= 1.2.2 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2026
The vulnerability identified as Contributor SQL Injection in the WordPress plugin WPBulky, affecting versions up to and including 1.2.2, represents a critical security flaw rooted in inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's backend logic. This specific weakness allows an attacker with contributor-level or lower privileges on a targeted WordPress installation to inject malicious Structured Query Language commands into database queries executed by the application. The core of this issue lies in the failure to properly escape user-supplied data before it is incorporated into SQL statements, creating a classic injection vector that compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the underlying database system.
From a technical perspective, the flaw typically manifests when processing requests related to bulk operations or contributor management features handled by WPBulky. When a user submits input parameters such as usernames, email addresses, or other identifiers for batch processing, these values are passed directly into SQL queries without sufficient filtering against special characters like single quotes or semicolons. This lack of parameterization allows the malicious payload to alter the intended logic of the database query. An attacker can exploit this by crafting specific HTTP requests that include encoded injection strings designed to extract sensitive information from the WordPress database, such as administrator credentials, session tokens, or other proprietary data stored within tables like wp_users and wp_options.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for privilege escalation and data exfiltration. Although the initial access point requires only contributor-level permissions, which are relatively easy to obtain through registration on public-facing sites running vulnerable versions, the consequences extend far beyond that limited scope. Successful exploitation can lead to full database compromise, allowing attackers to dump all user accounts including those with administrative privileges. This facilitates further attacks such as account takeover, defacement of the website, or installation of persistent backdoors like web shells. Furthermore, in environments where WordPress instances are part of a larger network infrastructure, this breach could serve as an entry point for lateral movement and broader system compromise.
This vulnerability aligns closely with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) category CWE-89, which describes Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly known as SQL Injection. Additionally, from the perspective of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this exploit maps to techniques involving Database Credential Dumping and potentially Privilege Escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations. The attack vector is classified under T1059, specifically utilizing command-line interface interactions via HTTP requests that mimic legitimate application behavior but carry malicious payloads in their parameters.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate remediation of the vulnerable software and implementation of defensive coding practices. Administrators running WPBulky versions 1.2.2 or earlier should update to the latest patched version immediately upon availability from the official WordPress plugin repository. In cases where updates are not yet available, temporary mitigation involves restricting access to the affected endpoints through web application firewall rules that detect and block SQL injection patterns in POST parameters associated with bulk operations. It is also advisable to enforce strict role-based access control policies and ensure that all plugins undergo regular security audits using static analysis tools capable of identifying unsanitized database queries. Long-term resilience requires adopting prepared statements or parameterized queries for all database interactions, ensuring that user input is never directly concatenated into SQL commands regardless of the perceived trust level of the source.