CVE-2026-57756: nicen-localize-image SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2026-57756 Overview

CVE-2026-57756 is a SQL injection vulnerability affecting the nicen-localize-image WordPress plugin in versions up to and including 1.4.9. The flaw allows authenticated users with Contributor-level access to inject arbitrary SQL statements into database queries [CWE-89]. Successful exploitation can expose sensitive database contents and disrupt plugin or site availability. The vulnerability is network-exploitable and requires only low-privilege authentication, placing WordPress sites with open contributor registration at particular risk.

Critical Impact
Authenticated contributors can execute arbitrary SQL queries against the WordPress database, leading to disclosure of user credentials, post metadata, and other sensitive stored information.

Affected Products

nicen-localize-image WordPress plugin versions <= 1.4.9
WordPress installations with contributor accounts enabled
Multi-author WordPress sites using nicen-localize-image for image localization

Discovery Timeline

2026-07-02 - CVE-2026-57756 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-07-02 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-57756

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the nicen-localize-image plugin, which localizes external images into the WordPress media library. The plugin exposes functionality accessible to authenticated users at the Contributor role or higher. User-supplied input reaches a database query without proper sanitization or use of prepared statements. This condition allows an attacker to break out of the intended query context and append arbitrary SQL clauses.

Because the scope is marked as changed, exploitation impacts resources beyond the vulnerable component itself. An attacker can read confidential data stored in the WordPress database, including hashed passwords, session tokens, and private post content. The integrity impact is limited, but availability can be affected through queries that lock tables or exhaust resources.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command [CWE-89]. The plugin concatenates untrusted request parameters directly into SQL statements rather than using WordPress's $wpdb->prepare() API with parameterized placeholders. Contributor-level authorization checks are enforced, but input validation on the SQL parameters is missing.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires a valid WordPress account with Contributor privileges. The attacker submits crafted HTTP requests to a vulnerable plugin endpoint, embedding SQL payloads in parameters that the plugin passes to the database layer. No user interaction beyond the attacker's own authenticated session is required. Sites that permit public registration or that assign Contributor roles broadly are the most exposed. See the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for advisory details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-57756

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected HTTP requests from Contributor-level accounts to nicen-localize-image plugin endpoints containing SQL syntax such as UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, or INFORMATION_SCHEMA
WordPress database error entries in debug.log referencing plugin queries with malformed syntax
Anomalous outbound data volume from the web server following authenticated Contributor sessions

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server access logs for parameter values containing SQL metacharacters directed at plugin request URIs
Enable WordPress query logging or a database activity monitor to flag queries originating from the plugin that reference unexpected tables such as wp_users
Alert on Contributor accounts issuing requests to plugin endpoints outside the normal editorial workflow

Monitoring Recommendations

Deploy a web application firewall rule set that inspects requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php and plugin routes for SQL injection signatures
Continuously monitor for creation of new Contributor accounts and correlate with subsequent plugin activity
Track query execution time anomalies that may indicate time-based blind SQL injection attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-57756

Immediate Actions Required

Update nicen-localize-image to a version later than 1.4.9 once the vendor releases a patched build
Audit all Contributor-level accounts and remove any that are inactive or unrecognized
Disable open user registration or restrict the default role to Subscriber until the plugin is patched

Patch Information

At the time of publication, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the current fixed-version status. Apply vendor updates through the WordPress plugin management console as soon as a patched release becomes available.

Workarounds

Deactivate and remove the nicen-localize-image plugin until a fixed version is installed
Apply a virtual patch through a web application firewall to block SQL metacharacters on plugin request parameters
Restrict access to wp-admin paths by IP allowlist for editorial staff to reduce the attack surface

bash

# Configuration example: disable the plugin via WP-CLI until patched
wp plugin deactivate nicen-localize-image
wp plugin delete nicen-localize-image

# Restrict default registration role to Subscriber
wp option update default_role subscriber