CVE-2026-14872 Overview
CVE-2026-14872 is a SQL Injection vulnerability [CWE-89] affecting the Database for Contact Form 7, WPforms, Elementor forms WordPress plugin in versions prior to 1.5.5. The plugin fails to sanitize and escape a user-supplied parameter before using it in a SQL statement. Authenticated users with a specific WordPress capability can inject arbitrary SQL syntax into database queries. The capability is limited to administrators by default, but site owners can delegate it to lower-privileged roles, expanding the attack surface. Successful exploitation results in unauthorized read access to database contents, including form submissions that often contain personally identifiable information.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers holding the delegated capability can extract sensitive data from the WordPress database, including stored form entries and user records.
Affected Products
- Database for Contact Form 7, WPforms, Elementor forms WordPress plugin versions prior to 1.5.5
- WordPress sites that delegate the required capability to non-administrator roles
- Sites collecting form submissions through Contact Form 7, WPForms, or Elementor forms integrations
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-08-04 - CVE-2026-14872 published to NVD
- 2026-08-04 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-14872
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of a request parameter that flows directly into a SQL query. The plugin does not apply WordPress sanitization functions such as esc_sql() or use prepared statements via $wpdb->prepare() on the parameter. As a result, an attacker who supplies crafted input can break out of the intended query context and append additional SQL clauses.
The attack requires authentication and possession of a specific plugin capability. WordPress assigns that capability to administrators by default, but the plugin allows administrators to grant it to editors, authors, or custom roles. Environments that have delegated this capability convert the issue from an administrator-only concern into an exploitable path for lower-privileged accounts.
The CVSS vector indicates a scope change, reflecting that the injected SQL can reach data owned by components beyond the vulnerable module. Confidentiality impact is high, while integrity and availability are unaffected in the assessed scenario.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing input validation and improper query construction [CWE-89]. User-controlled data is concatenated into a SQL statement without parameterization, allowing injection of arbitrary SQL fragments through the affected parameter.
Attack Vector
An authenticated user sends an HTTP request to the vulnerable plugin endpoint with a malicious payload in the affected parameter. The payload is interpolated into a SQL query executed by $wpdb, enabling UNION-based or boolean-based extraction of database rows. Refer to the WPScan Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-14872
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to plugin admin endpoints containing SQL metacharacters such as UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, SLEEP(, or hex-encoded payloads in query parameters
- Unusual SELECT queries in MySQL slow query or general logs originating from PHP requests to the plugin
- Non-administrator accounts accessing plugin management pages after being granted the delegated capability
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for authenticated requests to the plugin's admin-ajax or admin-post endpoints carrying suspicious parameter values
- Enable MySQL query logging and alert on queries containing information_schema references originating from the WordPress database user
- Audit WordPress role and capability assignments for any non-administrator role holding the plugin's management capability
Monitoring Recommendations
- Deploy a WordPress-aware Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection signatures tuned for wp-admin traffic
- Forward WordPress, PHP, and MySQL logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation of authentication events with query anomalies
- Track plugin version inventory across WordPress deployments and alert on installations below version 1.5.5
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-14872
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Database for Contact Form 7, WPforms, Elementor forms plugin to version 1.5.5 or later on all WordPress sites
- Review and revoke the plugin's management capability from any non-administrator roles until the patch is applied
- Rotate credentials and audit form submission tables if evidence of exploitation is present in logs
Patch Information
Upgrade to version 1.5.5 of the Database for Contact Form 7, WPforms, Elementor forms plugin. The vendor fix adds proper sanitization and parameterization for the affected SQL statement. See the WPScan Vulnerability Report for advisory details.
Workarounds
- Restrict the plugin's required capability to administrator accounts only until patching is complete
- Place the WordPress admin area behind IP allow-listing or an additional authentication layer
- Enable WAF rules that block SQL injection patterns targeting plugin endpoints
# Update the plugin using WP-CLI
wp plugin update contact-form-7-database-addon --version=1.5.5
# Verify installed version
wp plugin get contact-form-7-database-addon --field=version
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
