CVE-2026-59550: AWP Classifieds SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2026-59550 Overview

CVE-2026-59550 is an unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the AWP Classifieds WordPress plugin (Another WordPress Classifieds Plugin) in versions up to and including 4.4.7. The flaw is classified under [CWE-89] Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. Remote attackers can send crafted requests without authentication to inject SQL statements into backend database queries.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can inject arbitrary SQL over the network, extracting sensitive database contents from any WordPress site running a vulnerable version of AWP Classifieds.

Affected Products

AWP Classifieds (Another WordPress Classifieds Plugin) versions <= 4.4.7
WordPress installations with the vulnerable plugin activated
Any hosting environment exposing the plugin endpoints to the internet

Discovery Timeline

2026-07-27 - CVE-2026-59550 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-07-27 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-59550

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the AWP Classifieds plugin's handling of user-supplied input passed into SQL queries. Untrusted parameters reach the database layer without proper sanitization or parameterization. This enables attackers to alter query logic and read data outside the intended scope. The scope-changed CVSS vector indicates the impact crosses the vulnerable component boundary, affecting the underlying WordPress database.

Exploitation requires no authentication, no user interaction, and can be performed remotely with low complexity. According to the EPSS model, the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days sits in the lower percentile band, but the pre-authentication nature raises real-world risk for exposed sites.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements in SQL statements [CWE-89]. Plugin code concatenates request parameters directly into SQL queries rather than using prepared statements or the WordPress $wpdb->prepare() API. As a result, characters such as single quotes, UNION, and comment sequences reach the SQL parser intact.

Attack Vector

An unauthenticated remote attacker crafts HTTP requests to a vulnerable AWP Classifieds endpoint, injecting SQL syntax into a susceptible parameter. The database processes the malicious payload alongside the original query. Attackers commonly leverage UNION-based or time-based blind techniques to enumerate tables, dump user records, and read the wp_users table including hashed credentials. Refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability advisory for further technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-59550

Indicators of Compromise

Web server access logs containing SQL keywords such as UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, INFORMATION_SCHEMA, or -- within requests to AWP Classifieds URLs
Unusually long query strings or POST bodies directed at classifieds plugin endpoints
Database error responses or HTTP 500 spikes originating from plugin request handlers
Unexpected outbound queries against wp_users, wp_options, or wp_usermeta

Detection Strategies

Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules that flag SQL metacharacters in requests to /wp-content/plugins/another-wordpress-classifieds-plugin/ paths
Enable MySQL general or slow query logging and alert on anomalous UNION and SLEEP patterns tied to plugin queries
Correlate authentication-free requests that trigger database errors with source IP reputation feeds

Monitoring Recommendations

Ingest WordPress, PHP, and MySQL logs into a centralized SIEM for cross-source correlation
Baseline normal request volume to AWP Classifieds endpoints and alert on deviations
Monitor for new administrative user creations or unexpected role changes following suspicious traffic

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-59550

Immediate Actions Required

Update AWP Classifieds to a version newer than 4.4.7 as soon as a patched release is published by the vendor
Temporarily deactivate the plugin on internet-exposed WordPress sites until the patch is applied
Rotate WordPress administrator passwords and secret keys defined in wp-config.php if exploitation is suspected
Review database audit logs for signs of unauthorized SELECT activity against user tables

Patch Information

Refer to the Patchstack advisory for AWP Classifieds for the current fixed version and vendor guidance. Apply the update through the WordPress plugin manager or by replacing the plugin directory with the patched release.

Workarounds

Enforce a WAF virtual patch that blocks SQL injection payloads targeting plugin request parameters
Restrict access to the classifieds endpoints via IP allow-listing where feasible
Apply the principle of least privilege to the WordPress database user, removing rights to sensitive schemas

bash

# Example WAF rule (ModSecurity) blocking SQLi patterns on AWP Classifieds endpoints
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains /another-wordpress-classifieds-plugin/" \
    "chain,phase:2,deny,status:403,id:1026595500,\
    msg:'Potential SQLi against AWP Classifieds (CVE-2026-59550)'"
    SecRule ARGS "@rx (?i)(union(\s|/\*.*\*/)+select|sleep\s*\(|information_schema|--\s)" \
        "t:none,t:urlDecodeUni"