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CVE-2026-18474 – Unauthenticated SQL Injection – WP Directory Kit WordPress Plugin before 1.5.6

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Summary

CVE-2026-18474 is an unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) in the WP Directory Kit WordPress plugin, affecting all versions before 1.5.6. The plugin fails to sanitize and escape a parameter before using it in a SQL statement, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands without authentication. The flaw carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.6 (High).

Technical details

  • Root cause: The plugin does not sanitize or escape a parameter before incorporating it into a SQL query.
  • Vulnerable parameters: search_location and search_category.
  • Trigger conditions: Exploitation requires that a non-default search field type be configured on the site; under that configuration, no authentication is needed.
  • Attack vector: Network — an attacker submits a crafted request containing malicious SQL in the affected search parameters.
  • Impact: Successful exploitation compromises database confidentiality (CVSS Confidentiality Impact: High), potentially exposing sensitive data stored in the WordPress database; the CVSS Scope is Changed, indicating impact beyond the vulnerable component.

Affected software

  • WP Directory Kit WordPress plugin: all versions before 1.5.6

Severity

  • CVSS v3.1 Base Score: 8.6 (High)
  • Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N

Mitigation and recommended actions

  • Immediate: Update WP Directory Kit to version 1.5.6 or later, which addresses the missing input sanitization/escaping.
  • If patching cannot be applied immediately: Review site configuration for non-default search field types and disable or restrict them until the plugin can be updated; consider blocking or monitoring requests containing suspicious payloads in the search_location and search_category parameters at a WAF or reverse proxy.

References

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