CVE-2026-57642 Overview
CVE-2026-57642 is a SQL injection vulnerability affecting the WordPress Gallery plugin in versions 4.7.8 and earlier. The flaw allows authenticated users with Contributor-level privileges to inject arbitrary SQL statements into database queries. The issue is tracked under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command).
An attacker with a low-privilege Contributor account can leverage the flaw over the network without user interaction. Successful exploitation can expose sensitive data stored in the WordPress database and impact site availability.
Critical Impact
Authenticated Contributors can execute crafted SQL queries against the WordPress database, exposing confidential data and potentially disrupting site operations.
Affected Products
- WordPress Gallery plugin versions <= 4.7.8
- WordPress sites permitting Contributor-level registrations that use the affected plugin
- Any deployment of the Gallery plugin prior to the patched release
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-26 - CVE-2026-57642 published to NVD
- 2026-06-29 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-57642
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a SQL Injection flaw in the WordPress Gallery plugin. User-supplied input reachable by a Contributor-role account is concatenated into a SQL query without sufficient sanitization or parameterization. This allows the attacker to alter query semantics and interact directly with the underlying database.
Because the Gallery plugin operates in the context of WordPress, the affected queries execute against the site database with the privileges of the WordPress database user. The CVSS vector indicates a scope change, meaning exploitation can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component itself. Confidentiality impact is high while integrity impact is low, consistent with a read-oriented injection primitive that can also disturb query execution.
EPSS scoring places exploitation likelihood in the lower range at the time of publication, but low-privilege SQL injection flaws in widely deployed WordPress plugins historically attract opportunistic scanning once details become public.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special SQL characters in parameters accepted from Contributor-authenticated requests. The plugin fails to enforce prepared statements or strict input validation on affected code paths, allowing crafted values to break out of the intended query structure.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires an authenticated session with at least Contributor privileges. The attacker submits a crafted request to a Gallery plugin endpoint that reaches the vulnerable query. On sites that allow open registration or delegate content contribution to external authors, the barrier to acquiring a Contributor account is low. Details are available in the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-57642
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual SQL syntax patterns such as UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, or INFORMATION_SCHEMA in HTTP parameters submitted by Contributor accounts
- Web server access logs showing Gallery plugin endpoints receiving requests with encoded quotes, comments (--, #), or nested subqueries
- Sudden spikes in database query duration or error rates originating from the Gallery plugin
Detection Strategies
- Enable WordPress query logging or database audit logging to correlate suspicious queries with the authenticated user session
- Deploy a web application firewall ruleset targeting SQL injection payloads on WordPress admin-ajax and REST endpoints exposed by the Gallery plugin
- Review user activity logs for Contributor accounts performing actions inconsistent with content authoring workflows
Monitoring Recommendations
- Alert on newly created Contributor accounts, especially from unfamiliar IP ranges or automated registrations
- Monitor outbound database errors surfaced in WordPress debug logs for signs of injection probing
- Track plugin version inventory across managed WordPress sites and flag any host still running Gallery <= 4.7.8
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-57642
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Gallery plugin to a version above 4.7.8 as soon as a fixed release is available from the vendor
- Audit Contributor-level accounts and remove or downgrade unused or unrecognized users
- Restrict open registration where Contributor privileges are granted by default
Patch Information
Refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report for authoritative patch guidance and the fixed plugin version. Apply updates through the WordPress plugin manager or automated update tooling once the patched build is published.
Workarounds
- Deactivate the Gallery plugin on sites where a patched version cannot be applied immediately
- Deploy a web application firewall rule to block SQL injection payloads targeting the plugin endpoints
- Enforce least-privilege principles by removing the Contributor role from users who do not require content submission access
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
