CVE-2026-40745: Element Pack Elementor SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2026-40745 Overview

CVE-2026-40745 is a Blind SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the Element Pack Elementor Addons plugin (bdthemes-element-pack-lite) for WordPress. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious SQL commands through improper neutralization of special elements in user-supplied input. The flaw affects all versions of the plugin through version 8.4.2.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers with high privileges can exploit this Blind SQL Injection vulnerability to extract sensitive database contents, potentially compromising user credentials, site configurations, and other critical WordPress data.

Affected Products

• Element Pack Elementor Addons (bdthemes-element-pack-lite) versions through 8.4.2
• WordPress installations running vulnerable plugin versions
• Websites using Elementor page builder with Element Pack addon

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-04-15 - CVE-2026-40745 published to NVD
• 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-40745

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command), commonly known as SQL Injection. The Blind SQL Injection variant present in Element Pack Elementor Addons is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to extract database information without receiving direct error messages or query results in the application response.

The attack requires network access and high-level privileges (such as administrator or editor roles), but once those conditions are met, an attacker can leverage the vulnerability to exfiltrate confidential data from the WordPress database. The cross-scope nature of this vulnerability means that successful exploitation can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component itself.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2026-40745 lies in insufficient input validation and sanitization within the Element Pack Elementor Addons plugin. User-controlled input is passed directly to SQL queries without proper parameterization or escaping. This allows specially crafted input containing SQL syntax to be interpreted and executed by the database engine, enabling attackers to manipulate query logic and extract data.

WordPress plugins that construct SQL queries dynamically without using prepared statements or the WordPress $wpdb->prepare() function are susceptible to this class of vulnerability.

Attack Vector

The attack is conducted over the network and requires the attacker to have authenticated access with high-level privileges to the WordPress installation. Once authenticated, the attacker can inject malicious SQL payloads through vulnerable input fields or parameters within the Element Pack plugin's functionality.

In Blind SQL Injection attacks, the attacker typically uses time-based or boolean-based techniques to infer database contents. Time-based attacks involve injecting SQL commands that cause deliberate delays (e.g., using SLEEP() or BENCHMARK() functions), while boolean-based attacks manipulate query conditions to produce different application behaviors based on true/false conditions.

The vulnerability can be exploited to enumerate database tables, extract user credentials, access wp_options configuration data, and potentially pivot to more severe attacks if the database user has elevated privileges.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-40745

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual database query patterns in MySQL/MariaDB slow query logs containing SLEEP(), BENCHMARK(), or WAITFOR functions
• Abnormal HTTP requests to Element Pack Elementor endpoints containing SQL syntax characters such as single quotes, UNION, SELECT, or comment sequences (--, /**/)
• Increased database load or timeout errors coinciding with authenticated user sessions
• Suspicious admin-level activity from unfamiliar IP addresses or at unusual times

Detection Strategies

• Enable WordPress database query logging and monitor for anomalous SQL patterns
• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block common SQL injection payloads
• Implement SentinelOne Singularity XDR to monitor for behavioral anomalies associated with web application exploitation
• Review WordPress access logs for repeated requests to Element Pack endpoints with varying parameter values indicative of automated injection attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure alerting for database query failures and syntax errors that may indicate injection attempts
• Monitor authenticated user sessions for unusual activity patterns, particularly those with elevated privileges
• Implement log correlation between web server logs, WordPress application logs, and database logs
• Use SentinelOne's endpoint protection to detect post-exploitation activities such as file system modifications or outbound data exfiltration

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-40745

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Element Pack Elementor Addons to a patched version immediately once available from the vendor
• Audit WordPress user accounts and remove unnecessary high-privilege accounts
• Implement a Web Application Firewall with SQL injection protection rules
• Review database access logs for signs of prior exploitation
• Consider temporarily disabling the Element Pack plugin if a patch is not yet available

Patch Information

Users should monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for official patch release announcements. Update the plugin through the WordPress admin dashboard or manually download the patched version from the official source once available.

Workarounds

• Restrict administrative access to trusted IP addresses using .htaccess rules or security plugins
• Implement additional authentication layers such as two-factor authentication for all privileged accounts
• Deploy a WAF solution configured with SQL injection detection and prevention rules
• Temporarily disable the affected plugin functionality if business operations permit
• Reduce database user privileges to minimum required permissions to limit exploitation impact

# WordPress .htaccess restriction example for admin access
<Files wp-login.php>
    Order Deny,Allow
    Deny from all
    Allow from 192.168.1.0/24
    Allow from 10.0.0.0/8
</Files>

# Block access to xmlrpc.php if not required
<Files xmlrpc.php>
    Order Deny,Allow
    Deny from all
</Files>