CVE-2026-31922: Fox LMS SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2026-31922 Overview

CVE-2026-31922 is a Blind SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the Fox LMS WordPress plugin developed by Ays Pro. This vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, allowing authenticated attackers to inject malicious SQL queries that can extract sensitive information from the underlying database without generating direct error messages.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers can exploit this Blind SQL Injection vulnerability to exfiltrate sensitive database contents including user credentials, personal information, and other confidential data stored in the WordPress database.

Affected Products

• Fox LMS WordPress Plugin versions up to and including 1.0.6.3
• WordPress installations running vulnerable Fox LMS plugin versions
• Websites utilizing Ays Pro Fox LMS for learning management functionality

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-03-13 - CVE-2026-31922 published to NVD
• 2026-03-16 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-31922

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command). The Fox LMS plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries, creating an avenue for Blind SQL Injection attacks.

Blind SQL Injection differs from classic SQL Injection in that the attacker does not receive direct output from the injected queries. Instead, the attacker must infer information based on application behavior, response times, or other observable differences. This technique, while more time-consuming, can still lead to complete database compromise.

The vulnerability requires low-privilege authentication to exploit but operates over the network without user interaction. The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerable component impacts resources beyond its security scope, potentially affecting the entire WordPress installation and associated database.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2026-31922 lies in insufficient input validation and the absence of parameterized queries or prepared statements in the Fox LMS plugin code. User-controllable input is concatenated directly into SQL query strings without proper escaping or sanitization, allowing attackers to manipulate the query logic.

WordPress provides several built-in functions for secure database interactions, including $wpdb->prepare() for parameterized queries. The Fox LMS plugin's failure to utilize these security mechanisms creates the SQL Injection vulnerability.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring an authenticated user with low privileges to submit specially crafted input through the Fox LMS plugin interface. The attacker constructs SQL injection payloads designed to elicit different application responses based on true or false conditions in the injected SQL.

Common Blind SQL Injection techniques applicable to this vulnerability include:

• Boolean-based blind injection: Crafting payloads that cause different page content based on SQL condition results
• Time-based blind injection: Using SQL SLEEP() or BENCHMARK() functions to infer query results based on response delays
• Out-of-band data exfiltration: Leveraging database features to send data to attacker-controlled servers

The exploitation process typically involves automated tools that systematically extract database contents character by character through iterative queries.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-31922

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual database query patterns in WordPress/MySQL logs containing SQL injection syntax such as UNION SELECT, SLEEP(), or BENCHMARK()
• Increased response times on pages served by the Fox LMS plugin indicating time-based SQL injection attempts
• Database access logs showing queries retrieving data outside normal application behavior
• Web application firewall alerts for SQL injection pattern matches on Fox LMS endpoints

Detection Strategies

• Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules specifically targeting SQL injection patterns on Fox LMS plugin endpoints
• Enable and monitor WordPress database query logging for anomalous SQL syntax
• Implement intrusion detection system (IDS) signatures for common Blind SQL Injection payloads
• Review access logs for repeated requests to Fox LMS functionality with varying parameter values indicating automated extraction attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure real-time alerting for SQL injection patterns detected by security tools
• Establish baseline database query patterns and alert on significant deviations
• Monitor for automated scanning tools targeting WordPress plugin vulnerabilities
• Track authentication events for accounts making suspicious requests to Fox LMS features

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-31922

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Fox LMS plugin to the latest patched version when available from Ays Pro
• Temporarily disable the Fox LMS plugin if it is not critical to site operations until a patch is released
• Implement web application firewall rules to block SQL injection attempts targeting the plugin
• Review database access logs and user accounts for signs of compromise

Patch Information

Organizations should monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for updates regarding official patches from Ays Pro. As of the last NVD update on 2026-03-16, administrators should check for Fox LMS versions newer than 1.0.6.3 that address this SQL Injection vulnerability.

Workarounds

• Deploy a web application firewall with SQL injection protection enabled for all WordPress plugin endpoints
• Restrict access to Fox LMS administrative features to trusted IP addresses only
• Implement additional authentication requirements for sensitive Fox LMS functionality
• Consider using WordPress security plugins that provide SQL injection filtering capabilities
• Regularly backup the database to enable recovery in case of compromise

# Example ModSecurity WAF rule to block common SQL injection patterns
SecRule ARGS "@detectSQLi" \
    "id:1001,\
    phase:2,\
    deny,\
    status:403,\
    log,\
    msg:'SQL Injection Attack Detected - Fox LMS Protection',\
    tag:'application-multi',\
    tag:'language-multi',\
    tag:'platform-multi',\
    tag:'attack-sqli'"