CVE-2026-89232 in Recordbrowser Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/11/2026
The Recordbrowser WordPress plugin through 1.1.7 does not sanitise and escape a parameter before using it in a SQL query, allowing unauthenticated attackers to append additional SQL queries and extract sensitive information from the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2026
The vulnerability identified in the Recordbrowser WordPress plugin versions prior to 1.1.7 represents a critical failure in input validation and data handling practices within the application's backend logic. Specifically, the flaw resides in the mechanism that processes user-supplied parameters intended for querying the database. Instead of employing prepared statements or rigorous sanitization routines such as escaping special characters, the plugin directly interpolates these unsanitized inputs into SQL query strings. This architectural oversight creates a classic injection vector where an attacker can manipulate the structure of the executed command rather than merely altering its data payload. The absence of proper context-aware encoding allows malicious syntax to be interpreted by the database management system as executable code rather than literal string values, fundamentally breaking the separation between control and data that is essential for secure application operation.
From a technical perspective, this flaw enables unauthenticated attackers to perform SQL injection attacks against the underlying MySQL or MariaDB instance hosting the WordPress site's content. Because no authentication is required to trigger the vulnerable parameter, the attack surface is maximized, allowing any internet user with network access to exploit the weakness. The attacker can append additional SQL queries using standard techniques such as UNION-based extraction or blind boolean inference. This capability allows for the exfiltration of sensitive information stored in the database, including administrator usernames and password hashes, which are critical assets in a WordPress environment. Compromise of these credentials typically leads to full administrative control over the website, enabling further defacement, malware distribution, or use as part of larger botnets.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate data theft. Once an attacker gains access through SQL injection, they can modify site content, inject malicious scripts for cross-site scripting attacks against visitors, or install backdoors to maintain persistent access even if the initial vector is patched. The lack of authentication requirement means that automated scanning tools and opportunistic attackers can exploit this flaw at scale with minimal effort, leading to widespread compromise across sites running vulnerable versions of Recordbrowser. This aligns closely with CWE-89 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, which categorizes the root cause as a failure to neutralize special characters that have special meaning within SQL syntax.
To mitigate this risk, site administrators must immediately update the Recordbrowser plugin to version 1.1.7 or later, where the developers have presumably implemented proper input sanitization and parameterized queries. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible due to compatibility concerns, temporary mitigation strategies should be employed. These include restricting access to wp-admin directories via IP whitelisting if applicable, deploying a Web Application Firewall configured with rulesets specifically tuned for SQL injection detection such as those found in OWASP ModSecurity Core Rule Set, and ensuring that database user accounts have the principle of least privilege applied, thereby limiting the damage an attacker can inflict even if they successfully inject malicious commands. Regular security audits and code reviews focusing on data flow analysis are recommended to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced during future development cycles. This incident underscores the importance of adhering to secure coding standards like those outlined in OWASP Top Ten under Injection risks, ensuring that all external inputs are treated as untrusted until explicitly validated and sanitized through established security libraries or frameworks.