CVE-2026-11977: CWE-89 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') in afthemes WP Post Author – Author Box, Multiple Authors, Guest Authors & Custom Avatars
The WP Post Author – Author Box, Multiple Authors, Guest Authors & Custom Avatars plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to generic SQL Injection via the 'wpma_metabox_authors_list' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 3.9.1 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with author-level access and above, to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database. Exploitation is a two-step chain: an attacker first saves a crafted guest-author token via the wpma_metabox_authors_list parameter during post creation or editing, then triggers the injection when any admin user loads the post list screen at /wp-admin/edit.php, causing the injected SQL result to be rendered in the Authors column.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-11977 is an SQL Injection vulnerability in the WP Post Author – Author Box, Multiple Authors, Guest Authors & Custom Avatars plugin for WordPress. It arises from insufficient escaping and lack of proper preparation of the 'wpma_metabox_authors_list' parameter in SQL queries. Authenticated attackers with author-level privileges can inject additional SQL commands by saving a crafted guest-author token during post creation or editing. The injection is triggered when an admin user loads the post list screen (/wp-admin/edit.php), causing the malicious SQL to execute and potentially disclose sensitive information from the database.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an authenticated user with author-level access or higher to extract sensitive information from the WordPress database. The vulnerability does not impact data integrity or availability but compromises confidentiality by exposing database contents through SQL Injection.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, restrict author-level access to trusted users only and monitor for suspicious activity related to post creation and editing. Avoid loading the post list screen with untrusted content if possible.
CVE-2026-11977: CWE-89 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') in afthemes WP Post Author – Author Box, Multiple Authors, Guest Authors & Custom Avatars
Description
The WP Post Author – Author Box, Multiple Authors, Guest Authors & Custom Avatars plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to generic SQL Injection via the 'wpma_metabox_authors_list' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 3.9.1 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with author-level access and above, to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database. Exploitation is a two-step chain: an attacker first saves a crafted guest-author token via the wpma_metabox_authors_list parameter during post creation or editing, then triggers the injection when any admin user loads the post list screen at /wp-admin/edit.php, causing the injected SQL result to be rendered in the Authors column.
CVSS v3.1
Score 6.5medium
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-11977 is an SQL Injection vulnerability in the WP Post Author – Author Box, Multiple Authors, Guest Authors & Custom Avatars plugin for WordPress. It arises from insufficient escaping and lack of proper preparation of the 'wpma_metabox_authors_list' parameter in SQL queries. Authenticated attackers with author-level privileges can inject additional SQL commands by saving a crafted guest-author token during post creation or editing. The injection is triggered when an admin user loads the post list screen (/wp-admin/edit.php), causing the malicious SQL to execute and potentially disclose sensitive information from the database.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an authenticated user with author-level access or higher to extract sensitive information from the WordPress database. The vulnerability does not impact data integrity or availability but compromises confidentiality by exposing database contents through SQL Injection.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, restrict author-level access to trusted users only and monitor for suspicious activity related to post creation and editing. Avoid loading the post list screen with untrusted content if possible.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Wordfence
- Date Reserved
- 2026-06-11T13:06:08.108Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a72f050bf8831d53984b009
Added to database: 08/05/2026, 08:12:00 UTC
Last enriched: 08/05/2026, 08:30:20 UTC
Last updated: 08/06/2026, 02:07:07 UTC
Views: 12
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