CVE-2026-8978
Summary
by MITRE • 06/06/2026
The OptinCraft – Drag & Drop Optins & Popup Builder for WordPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to generic SQL Injection via the 'order_by' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 1.2.0 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrator-level access and above, to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2026
The vulnerability in the OptinCraft plugin represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress installations relying on this drag and drop optin builder. This generic SQL injection vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of the 'order_by' parameter, affecting all versions up to and including 1.2.0. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization and improper SQL query preparation mechanisms that fail to properly escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into database operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only administrator-level access to exploit, making it accessible to attackers who have already compromised administrative credentials or who can obtain such privileges through other means.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin processes user input through the 'order_by' parameter without adequate validation or escaping procedures. The existing SQL query construction methods do not employ proper parameterized queries or prepared statements, instead directly concatenating user-supplied values into SQL command strings. This allows authenticated attackers with administrator privileges to inject malicious SQL fragments that become part of the existing query execution flow. The vulnerability maps to CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation tactics. When exploited, the attacker can append additional SQL operations to the existing query, enabling them to extract sensitive database information including user credentials, configuration details, and other confidential data stored within the WordPress database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exfiltration, as it provides attackers with a powerful tool for database manipulation and information gathering. Successful exploitation allows attackers to perform unauthorized database operations such as data retrieval, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's accessibility through administrator-level privileges means that even if other security controls are in place, a single compromised administrative account can lead to widespread database compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract WordPress user tables containing hashed passwords, plugin configurations, and other sensitive system information that could be used for further attacks. The impact is amplified because the vulnerability affects the core database operations of the plugin, potentially exposing all optin and popup data managed by the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including updating to the latest plugin version where the SQL injection flaw has been addressed through proper input validation and parameterized query implementation. Organizations should implement the principle of least privilege by ensuring that administrative accounts have limited access and that multi-factor authentication is enabled for all administrative interfaces. Network segmentation and monitoring should be deployed to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and parameterized queries in preventing SQL injection attacks, aligning with industry best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of WordPress plugins and ensure that all third-party components are kept current with security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.