CVE-2026-0806: WP-ClanWars Plugin SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2026-0806 Overview

CVE-2026-0806 is a SQL Injection vulnerability [CWE-89] in the WP-ClanWars plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 2.0.1. The vulnerability stems from insufficient escaping of the user-supplied orderby parameter and a lack of proper preparation of the underlying SQL query. Authenticated attackers with administrator-level access can append additional SQL statements to existing queries. Successful exploitation allows extraction of sensitive information from the WordPress database.

Critical Impact
Authenticated administrators can inject arbitrary SQL through the orderby parameter, enabling extraction of credentials, session tokens, and other sensitive data stored in the WordPress database.

Affected Products

WP-ClanWars plugin for WordPress, all versions up to and including 2.0.1
WordPress installations using the vulnerable teams.class.php component
Sites where administrator accounts are accessible to lower-trust users via delegation

Discovery Timeline

2026-01-24 - CVE-2026-0806 published to NVD
2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-0806

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the WP-ClanWars plugin's team-handling code at classes/teams.class.php line 92. The plugin accepts an orderby request parameter and concatenates it directly into a SQL query string. Because the parameter is neither escaped nor passed through the WordPress $wpdb->prepare() interface, an attacker can break out of the intended ORDER BY clause. The injection point sits inside a query that already returns rows, allowing the attacker to extend the query with UNION SELECT statements or subqueries. Extracted data is returned to the attacker through the plugin's normal response paths. Since the issue requires administrator-level access, exploitation typically chains with account compromise, multi-tenant administration models, or insider misuse.

Root Cause

The root cause is a classic SQL injection pattern [CWE-89]: dynamic SQL construction using untrusted input. WordPress provides $wpdb->prepare() and esc_sql() for safe query composition, but the plugin bypasses these for ORDER BY clauses. ORDER BY values cannot be parameterized as data, so they require strict allow-list validation against known column names. The plugin omits this validation entirely.

Attack Vector

An authenticated administrator submits a crafted request to the plugin endpoint that processes team listings. The orderby parameter carries an injected SQL fragment such as a UNION SELECT clause referencing wp_users or wp_usermeta. The database executes the appended query, and the results surface through the plugin's response. The attack requires no user interaction beyond the attacker's own request and operates entirely over the network.

No verified public proof-of-concept code is available for this vulnerability. Refer to the Wordfence Vulnerability Analysis and the WordPress Plugin Code Review for the vulnerable source location.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-0806

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to WP-ClanWars endpoints containing orderby values with SQL keywords such as UNION, SELECT, SLEEP, or --
Unexpected long-running database queries originating from the WordPress process
Outbound transfers of database content shortly after administrator authentication events
New or unfamiliar administrator sessions interacting with the plugin's team management pages

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server access logs for orderby parameter values that deviate from expected column names like id, name, or tag
Enable MySQL general query logging temporarily to identify malformed ORDER BY clauses reaching the database
Deploy a web application firewall rule that blocks SQL meta-characters in the orderby parameter on plugin routes

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on administrator role assignments and session creation events in wp_usermeta
Monitor for wp-admin traffic from IP addresses outside known administrator ranges
Track outbound data volume from the database host to detect bulk extraction attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-0806

Immediate Actions Required

Deactivate the WP-ClanWars plugin until a patched release is verified
Audit all WordPress administrator accounts and revoke unused or stale privileges
Rotate WordPress administrator passwords and invalidate active sessions
Review database query logs for prior exploitation attempts targeting the orderby parameter

Patch Information

At the time of NVD publication, no fixed version above 2.0.1 is referenced in the advisory. Monitor the WordPress plugin repository and the Wordfence Vulnerability Analysis for patch availability and apply updates immediately once published.

Workarounds

Restrict administrator-level access to a minimal set of trusted accounts protected by multi-factor authentication
Apply a WAF rule that enforces an allow-list of valid orderby values such as id, name, tag, and created
Limit the WordPress database user's privileges to deny access to tables outside the WordPress schema where feasible
Place wp-admin behind IP allow-listing or VPN access to reduce exposure of the authenticated attack surface

bash

# Example ModSecurity rule blocking SQL keywords in the orderby parameter
SecRule ARGS:orderby "@rx (?i)(union|select|sleep|benchmark|--|/\*)" \
    "id:1026806,phase:2,deny,status:403,\
    msg:'CVE-2026-0806 WP-ClanWars SQLi attempt in orderby'"