WordPress security changelog
MEDIUM CVE-2026-16588 Deferred

WP Directory Kit passes order_by input into a blind SQL injection path

Through 1.5.4, a user with the custom-level role described by the record can influence order_by without adequate query preparation, enabling blind SQL injection and database information extraction. The export does not identify the role's capabilities, request route, handler or query structure; it does not establish unauthenticated exploitation. No fixed release is confirmed in the export, and the official plugin lookup was unavailable.

CVE / CNA score 6.5 CVSS 3.1 · security@wordfence.com
NVD score Pending NVD has not published its own CVSS assessment.
Component
WP Directory Kit
Plugin slug
wpdirectorykit
Affected
<= 1.5.4
Safe version
See mitigation notes
Published
Sep 16, 2026
Weakness
CWE-89 — Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')

This CVE was published Sep 16, 2026 and is one of 31 known issues for this plugin.

Update, patch or deactivate.

Allowlist permitted sort columns and directions instead of accepting SQL fragments, and parameterize query values. Restrict the affected custom-role feature or disable the plugin until the vendor confirms a fixed release.

No confirmed safe version is listed. Consider a vendor-supported patch or temporarily restricting the affected functionality while you assess the risk.

Deactivate only when warranted by your risk profile, or when advised by your hosting provider in the limited circumstances where the vulnerability cannot otherwise be mitigated. If you’re unsure which action is appropriate, contact Fused or your hosting provider for guidance.

Technical description

The WP Directory Kit plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to blind SQL Injection via the 'order_by' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 1.5.4 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 custom-level access and above, to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database.

CVE / CNA vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Primary and upstream sources