CVE-2026-22470 Overview
CVE-2026-22470 is a blind SQL injection vulnerability in the FireStorm Professional Real Estate WordPress plugin (fs-real-estate-plugin). The flaw affects all versions up to and including 2.7.11. Improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands allows an authenticated attacker with high privileges to inject arbitrary SQL statements [CWE-89]. Exploitation occurs over the network without user interaction and can expose database contents stored by the plugin and the broader WordPress installation.
Critical Impact
An authenticated attacker can extract sensitive WordPress database content, including user credentials and personally identifiable real estate client data, through blind SQL injection.
Affected Products
- FireStorm Plugins FireStorm Professional Real Estate (fs-real-estate-plugin)
- All versions from initial release through <= 2.7.11
- WordPress installations with the plugin active
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-01-22 - CVE-2026-22470 published to NVD
- 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-22470
Vulnerability Analysis
The FireStorm Professional Real Estate plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. The vulnerability is classified as blind SQL injection, meaning the application does not return query results directly in HTTP responses. Attackers infer database content through boolean-based or time-based inference techniques.
The issue maps to [CWE-89], Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. Successful exploitation provides read access to the WordPress database, including the wp_users table containing password hashes and session tokens. The scope-changed nature of the flaw indicates that exploitation impacts resources beyond the vulnerable component itself.
Root Cause
The root cause is the direct concatenation of unvalidated request parameters into SQL statements executed by the plugin. WordPress provides parameterized query methods through $wpdb->prepare(), but the affected plugin code paths bypass these safe APIs. Special characters such as single quotes, comments, and UNION keywords pass through unfiltered into the query string.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires authenticated access with high privileges. An authenticated user submits crafted parameters to a vulnerable plugin endpoint. The injected SQL alters the original query logic, allowing the attacker to enumerate tables, extract column data, and infer sensitive values one character at a time using conditional response timing or content differences.
No public proof-of-concept exploit is available at this time. Technical details are documented in the Patchstack SQL Injection Vulnerability advisory.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-22470
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual SQL syntax patterns in web server access logs, including SLEEP(, BENCHMARK(, UNION SELECT, or encoded variants targeting plugin endpoints under /wp-content/plugins/fs-real-estate-plugin/
- Repeated requests from a single authenticated session with incrementing numeric or character payloads suggesting blind inference
- Database query latency spikes correlated with requests to the FireStorm plugin
Detection Strategies
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that match known SQL injection signatures targeting WordPress plugin parameters
- Enable MySQL general query log or slow query log to capture suspicious queries originating from the WordPress database user
- Monitor WordPress audit logs for high-privilege accounts performing unusual request volumes against plugin endpoints
Monitoring Recommendations
- Alert on authenticated sessions issuing more than a threshold of requests to plugin endpoints within short time windows
- Forward web server, PHP error, and MySQL logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation
- Track failed and successful logins for administrator accounts to identify credential abuse preceding exploitation
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-22470
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress instances running fs-real-estate-plugin version 2.7.11 or earlier
- Restrict administrative access to the WordPress backend through IP allowlisting or VPN-only access until a patched version is deployed
- Rotate credentials for all WordPress administrator accounts and review recent privileged user activity
Patch Information
At the time of NVD publication, the advisory lists affected versions through <= 2.7.11. Administrators should consult the Patchstack advisory for the latest fixed version and update the plugin through the WordPress admin dashboard once available.
Workarounds
- Deactivate and remove the FireStorm Professional Real Estate plugin until a patched version is released
- Deploy a virtual patch through a WAF that blocks SQL injection payloads against plugin endpoints
- Apply the principle of least privilege to the WordPress database user, removing unnecessary FILE, CREATE, or DROP permissions
# Example WAF rule pattern to block common SQLi payloads against the plugin
# ModSecurity-style pseudo-rule
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains /wp-content/plugins/fs-real-estate-plugin/" \
"chain,deny,status:403,id:1026022470,msg:'Block SQLi against FireStorm plugin'"
SecRule ARGS "@rx (?i)(union(\s|/\*.*\*/)+select|sleep\s*\(|benchmark\s*\(|--|;)"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
