wpForo referer handling permits unauthenticated SQL injection

wpForo Forum through 2.4.17 does not adequately escape or prepare the user-controlled referer parameter before using it in an SQL query. An unauthenticated attacker can append SQL and extract sensitive database information.

CVE / CNA score 7.5 CVSS 3.1 · security@wordfence.com

NVD score Pending NVD has not published its own CVSS assessment.

Component: wpForo Forum
Plugin slug: wpforo
Affected: <= 2.4.17
Safe version: See mitigation notes
Published: Aug 28, 2026
Weakness: CWE-89 — Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')

This CVE was published Aug 28, 2026 and is one of 48 known issues for this plugin.

What to do

Update, patch or deactivate.

No fixed release is confirmed. Update wpForo when a release after 2.4.17 is confirmed to fix the issue; until then, deactivate the affected forum functionality when warranted and review database and request logs for injection attempts.

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.

Source record

Technical description

The wpForo Forum plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the 'referer' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 2.4.17. This is due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers 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:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

References

Primary and upstream sources

Data attribution: This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.

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