CVE-2024-13236 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in the Tainacan plugin for WordPress, a tool used to manage digital repositories and collections. The flaw exists in the handling of the 'collection_id' parameter, which is insufficiently escaped and lacks proper query preparation, allowing attackers to append arbitrary SQL commands to existing queries. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 0.21.12. An attacker with at least Subscriber-level privileges—meaning minimal authenticated access—can exploit this to extract sensitive information from the backend database. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond authentication and does not impact data integrity or availability directly but compromises confidentiality. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium), reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, and privileges required but no user interaction. No patches or known exploits are currently reported, but the risk remains significant due to the ease of exploitation and potential data exposure. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, indicating improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands.

The primary impact of this vulnerability is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data stored within the WordPress database used by the Tainacan plugin. Attackers with minimal authenticated access can exploit the flaw to extract information such as user data, content metadata, or other confidential repository information. This can lead to privacy violations, intellectual property theft, or further targeted attacks leveraging exposed data. Although the vulnerability does not allow modification or deletion of data, the breach of confidentiality alone can have serious reputational and compliance consequences for organizations. Since WordPress is widely used globally and Tainacan serves institutions managing digital collections, the scope includes educational, cultural, and research organizations. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as proof-of-concept exploits may emerge. Organizations failing to address this vulnerability risk data leakage and potential regulatory penalties under data protection laws.

Organizations should immediately upgrade the Tainacan plugin to a version that addresses this vulnerability once available. In the absence of an official patch, administrators can implement the following mitigations: 1) Restrict Subscriber-level user permissions to only trusted users and review user roles to minimize unnecessary access. 2) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns targeting the 'collection_id' parameter. 3) Harden database user permissions to limit the scope of data accessible by the WordPress application user. 4) Monitor logs for unusual query patterns or access attempts involving the vulnerable parameter. 5) Consider disabling or restricting the Tainacan plugin temporarily if the risk is unacceptable and no patch is available. 6) Educate administrators and users about the importance of strong authentication and monitoring. These steps help reduce the attack surface and mitigate exploitation risk until a patch is deployed.