CVE-2026-0678 Overview
The Flat Shipping Rate by City for WooCommerce plugin for WordPress contains a time-based SQL Injection vulnerability in the cities parameter. All versions up to and including 1.0.3 are affected due to insufficient escaping of user-supplied input and inadequate preparation of SQL queries. This vulnerability enables authenticated attackers with Shop Manager-level access or above to append malicious SQL queries to existing database queries, potentially extracting sensitive information from the WordPress database.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers with Shop Manager privileges can exploit this SQL injection to extract sensitive customer data, payment information, and other confidential data stored in the WooCommerce database.
Affected Products
- Flat Shipping Rate by City for WooCommerce plugin versions ≤ 1.0.3
- WordPress sites running vulnerable plugin versions with WooCommerce
- WooCommerce stores with Shop Manager or Administrator users
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-01-14 - CVE-2026-0678 published to NVD
- 2026-01-14 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-0678
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified as CWE-89 (SQL Injection), specifically a time-based blind SQL injection variant. The flaw exists within the shipping-method-class.php file at line 154, where user input from the cities parameter is incorporated into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterized query preparation.
Time-based SQL injection allows attackers to infer database information by observing response delays when injecting conditional time-delay functions (such as SLEEP() in MySQL). Even though the vulnerability requires authenticated access at the Shop Manager level, this remains a significant risk as Shop Manager is a common role in WooCommerce deployments and can be compromised through various means.
The network-based attack vector means this vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring local access to the target system. The primary impact is confidentiality, as attackers can systematically extract database contents including customer personally identifiable information (PII), order details, and potentially administrator credentials.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability is the failure to properly escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries, combined with the absence of prepared statements or parameterized queries. The cities parameter in the shipping method class accepts user input that is directly concatenated into SQL query strings, allowing specially crafted input to modify the query's logic and behavior.
Attack Vector
An authenticated attacker with Shop Manager-level privileges can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the cities parameter to inject time-based SQL payloads. The attack follows these steps:
- The attacker authenticates to the WordPress admin panel with Shop Manager credentials
- The attacker navigates to functionality that processes the cities parameter
- Malicious SQL payloads containing time-delay functions are injected through the parameter
- By measuring response times, the attacker can extract data one bit or character at a time
- Automated tools can expedite the extraction of entire database tables
The vulnerability affects the core shipping rate configuration functionality, making it accessible to any user responsible for managing WooCommerce shipping options. For detailed technical analysis, refer to the Wordfence Vulnerability Analysis and the vulnerable code in the WordPress Plugin Repository.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-0678
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual database query execution times or timeouts in MySQL slow query logs
- HTTP requests to WooCommerce shipping configuration endpoints containing SQL syntax characters such as single quotes, SLEEP(), or BENCHMARK()
- Multiple failed or delayed requests to the WordPress admin area from the same IP
- Unexpected data access patterns by Shop Manager accounts
Detection Strategies
- Monitor web application firewall (WAF) logs for SQL injection patterns targeting the cities parameter
- Enable WordPress debug logging and review for database errors related to malformed queries
- Implement database activity monitoring to detect time-based attack patterns (queries with unusual execution times)
- Review access logs for suspicious activity from accounts with Shop Manager privileges
Monitoring Recommendations
- Deploy SentinelOne Singularity to monitor for anomalous database access patterns and SQL injection attempts
- Configure alerting for requests containing common SQL injection payloads in WooCommerce-related endpoints
- Establish baseline response times for shipping configuration endpoints to detect time-based injection attempts
- Monitor for bulk data extraction patterns from the WordPress database
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-0678
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Flat Shipping Rate by City for WooCommerce plugin to a patched version as soon as one becomes available
- Audit Shop Manager accounts and remove unnecessary privileges or accounts
- Implement a web application firewall (WAF) with SQL injection protection rules
- Review database logs for evidence of prior exploitation attempts
Patch Information
The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.0.3. Users should monitor the WordPress Plugin Repository for updated versions that address this SQL injection vulnerability. Check the plugin's changelog for security fixes before updating.
Workarounds
- Temporarily deactivate the Flat Shipping Rate by City for WooCommerce plugin until a patched version is available
- Restrict Shop Manager account access to trusted personnel only and enforce strong authentication
- Deploy WAF rules specifically blocking SQL injection patterns in the cities parameter
- Consider implementing application-level input validation as an additional defense layer
# WordPress CLI command to deactivate the vulnerable plugin
wp plugin deactivate flat-shipping-rate-by-city-for-woocommerce
# Check current plugin version
wp plugin list --name=flat-shipping-rate-by-city-for-woocommerce --fields=name,version,status
# Review user accounts with Shop Manager role
wp user list --role=shop_manager --fields=ID,user_login,user_email
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
