CVE-2026-2893: WordPress Page and Post Clone SQLi Flaw

CVE-2026-2893 Overview

A second-order SQL Injection vulnerability has been identified in the Page and Post Clone plugin for WordPress. The vulnerability exists in the content_clone() function and can be exploited via the meta_key parameter in all versions up to and including 6.3. This security flaw allows authenticated attackers with Contributor-level access or above to extract sensitive information from the WordPress database.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers can append malicious SQL queries to extract sensitive database information including user credentials, private content, and configuration data through a second-order injection technique.

Affected Products

• Page and Post Clone plugin for WordPress versions ≤ 6.3
• WordPress installations using the vulnerable plugin versions
• Any WordPress site with Contributor-level or higher user accounts using the affected plugin

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-03-05 - CVE CVE-2026-2893 published to NVD
• 2026-03-05 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-2893

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability represents a classic second-order SQL Injection attack pattern (CWE-89). Unlike traditional SQL injection where malicious payloads execute immediately upon submission, this vulnerability involves a two-stage attack. First, the attacker stores a malicious payload as a post meta key. Subsequently, when the post is cloned using the plugin's functionality, the stored payload is retrieved and executed within an SQL query context.

The vulnerability stems from the content_clone() function's handling of the meta_key parameter. The function fails to properly sanitize user-supplied values before incorporating them into database queries. This architectural weakness allows attackers with Contributor-level access to leverage the cloning functionality to execute arbitrary SQL statements.

Root Cause

The root cause is twofold: insufficient escaping of user-supplied meta_key values and inadequate use of prepared statements for existing SQL queries. When posts are cloned, the plugin retrieves post meta data including meta keys that may contain attacker-controlled content. These values are then incorporated into SQL queries without proper parameterization, enabling SQL injection.

The vulnerable code path at line 95 of page-or-post-clone.php processes meta keys without validating or sanitizing their contents against SQL injection payloads.

Attack Vector

The attack requires network access and authenticated session with at least Contributor-level privileges. The exploitation follows these stages:

1. Payload Injection: An authenticated attacker with Contributor access creates or modifies a post, inserting a malicious SQL payload as a meta key value
2. Trigger Execution: The attacker (or another user) triggers the post cloning functionality
3. Second-Order Execution: The content_clone() function retrieves the stored malicious meta key and incorporates it into an SQL query without proper sanitization
4. Data Exfiltration: The injected SQL query executes, allowing the attacker to extract sensitive database information

The second-order nature makes this vulnerability particularly insidious as the injection point and execution point are separated, potentially complicating detection efforts.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-2893

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual post meta key values containing SQL syntax patterns such as UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, or encoded SQL keywords
• Abnormal database query patterns originating from the Page and Post Clone plugin
• Unexpected database access patterns following post cloning operations
• Error logs showing SQL syntax errors related to the content_clone() function

Detection Strategies

• Monitor WordPress activity logs for suspicious post meta key creation with SQL-like patterns
• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect SQL injection attempts in POST data targeting the plugin
• Review database query logs for anomalous queries originating from the page-or-post-clone.php file
• Audit posts created by Contributor-level users for suspicious meta key values

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed WordPress debug logging to capture SQL query execution
• Configure database audit logging to track queries against sensitive tables
• Monitor for unusual data extraction patterns or bulk SELECT queries following clone operations
• Implement alerting for access to the wp_postmeta table with suspicious query patterns

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-2893

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Page and Post Clone plugin to the latest patched version immediately
• Audit existing posts for suspicious meta key values that may contain SQL injection payloads
• Review user accounts with Contributor-level access and above for any suspicious activity
• Consider temporarily disabling the plugin until the update can be verified

Patch Information

The vendor has released a security patch addressing this vulnerability. The fix involves proper escaping and preparation of SQL queries within the content_clone() function. Technical details of the changes can be reviewed in the WordPress Plugin Changeset Details.

Additional information about this vulnerability is available through the Wordfence Vulnerability Analysis.

Workarounds

• Restrict Contributor-level and above access to trusted users only until patching is complete
• Implement a Web Application Firewall with SQL injection detection rules
• Disable the post cloning functionality by deactivating the plugin if updates cannot be immediately applied
• Regularly backup the database to enable recovery in case of successful exploitation

# Configuration example
# Temporarily disable the plugin via WP-CLI until patched version is installed
wp plugin deactivate page-or-post-clone

# List users with Contributor access or higher for audit
wp user list --role=contributor --format=table
wp user list --role=author --format=table
wp user list --role=editor --format=table

# Update to the latest patched version
wp plugin update page-or-post-clone