Summary
CVE-2026-81293 is an unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) in the WP Data Access WordPress plugin, affecting all versions up to and including 5.5.81. The plugin fails to properly neutralize special elements in SQL statements, allowing a remote, unauthenticated attacker to inject arbitrary SQL and extract sensitive data from the site’s database. The issue carries a Critical CVSS v3.1 score of 9.3.
Technical details
- Root cause: Improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command (CWE-89) within the WP Data Access plugin.
- Trigger conditions: No authentication or user interaction is required to exploit the flaw.
- Attack vector: Network-based; attack complexity is low, meaning exploitation does not require special conditions or timing.
- Impact: High confidentiality impact (unauthorized read access to database contents, e.g., user credentials, private data) and low availability impact; the scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component itself.
Affected software
- WP Data Access (WordPress plugin) by Passionate Programmer Peter — versions ≤ 5.5.81
- Fixed in version 5.5.82
Severity
- CVSS v3.1 Base Score: 9.3 (Critical)
- Vector:
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:L
Mitigation and recommended actions
- Immediate: Update the WP Data Access plugin to version 5.5.82 or later, where the SQL injection issue is resolved.
- If immediate patching is not possible: Restrict or disable public access to the affected plugin’s front-end/API endpoints where feasible, and monitor database and web server logs for anomalous SQL error messages or injection patterns until the update can be applied.

