CVE-2026-89285 in Datalist It Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/11/2026
The Datalist it WordPress plugin through 0.0.3 does not sanitize and escape several request parameters before using them to build a SQL query, allowing unauthenticated attackers to perform SQL injection and read arbitrary data from the database.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2026
The vulnerability identified in the Datalist for WordPress plugin version 0.0.3 represents a critical security flaw rooted in insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Specifically, several request parameters passed by users are not properly sanitized or escaped prior to their incorporation into Structured Query Language statements executed against the underlying database management system. This failure allows unauthenticated remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into these parameters, effectively bypassing any intended logical controls within the application layer. The core technical flaw lies in the absence of prepared statement usage or rigorous character escaping functions such as mysqli_real_escape_string or equivalent PDO parameter binding techniques when constructing dynamic queries based on user-supplied input.
This lack of sanitization creates a classic SQL injection vector that can be exploited without any form of authentication, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for potential attackers. By manipulating specific HTTP request parameters, an adversary can alter the structure of the intended database query. This manipulation enables the extraction of arbitrary data from the WordPress installation's database, which typically contains sensitive information such as user credentials, personal identifiable information, site configuration details, and potentially other plugin-specific data stored by administrators or users. The ability to read this data compromises the confidentiality integrity of the entire web application environment hosting the vulnerable plugin.
From an operational perspective, the impact extends beyond simple data exfiltration. While the primary description highlights reading arbitrary data, SQL injection vulnerabilities often allow for more severe consequences depending on the database engine and privileges granted to the web server's database user account. Attackers could potentially modify or delete records, disrupt service availability through denial-of-service techniques via complex queries, or in some configurations with high privilege levels, execute operating system commands if specific functions like xp_cmdshell are available in Microsoft SQL Server or similar features exist in other databases. The immediate and most likely impact remains the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive content stored within the WordPress database tables.
This vulnerability aligns directly with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-89, which classifies Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command as a distinct category of injection flaws. Furthermore, from a tactical standpoint related to adversary behavior and detection frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK, this exploitation technique falls under the T1059 subcategory of command and script interpreters or more specifically relates to techniques involving database interaction for data exfiltration. The unauthenticated nature of the attack places it within contexts where initial access is gained without prior credential compromise, often categorized under reconnaissance or discovery phases if used to map out the database schema before deeper exploitation.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate remediation and long-term defensive posture improvements. Administrators should update the Datalist plugin to a version greater than 0.0.3 where these sanitization issues have been addressed by the developers. If an updated version is not immediately available, temporary mitigations include restricting access to the WordPress installation via IP whitelisting or implementing Web Application Firewall rules that detect and block common SQL injection patterns in HTTP request parameters. Additionally, enforcing principle of least privilege for database accounts used by web applications can limit the potential damage even if a successful injection occurs. Developers must adopt secure coding practices such as using parameterized queries exclusively instead of string concatenation for building SQL statements to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future code releases.