CVE-2026-15941
Received Received - Intake

SQL Injection in WordPress Relevanssi Plugin

Publication date: 2026-08-05

Last updated on: 2026-08-05

Assigner: Wordfence

Description
The plugin provides an Admin Search page that allows users with the `edit_posts` capability to run Relevanssi searches from the WordPress dashboard. The AJAX handler accepts a URL-encoded `args` parameter, parses it into a `WP_Query`, and then passes user-controlled taxonomy query data into Relevanssi's taxonomy restriction builder. The taxonomy value is sanitized as text but is not parameterized for SQL before being interpolated into a term taxonomy lookup query. This allows an authenticated contributor-level attacker to inject SQL through the Admin Search AJAX request and execute time-based blind SQL injection against the WordPress database.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-08-05
Last Modified
2026-08-05
Generated
2026-08-05
AI Q&A
2026-08-05
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
CVE-2026-15941
EUVD
EUVD-2026-53058

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
relevanssi relevanssi *

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-89 The product constructs all or part of an SQL command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended SQL command when it is sent to a downstream component. Without sufficient removal or quoting of SQL syntax in user-controllable inputs, the generated SQL query can cause those inputs to be interpreted as SQL instead of ordinary user data.

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Executive Summary

This is a SQL injection vulnerability in the Relevanssi WordPress plugin. It allows authenticated users with contributor-level access to inject malicious SQL code via the Admin Search AJAX request. The plugin fails to properly sanitize user-controlled taxonomy query data before using it in a database query, enabling time-based blind SQL injection attacks.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability involves SQL injection via the Relevanssi Admin Search page. To detect it, monitor for unusual SQL query patterns or time delays in database responses during searches. Check server logs for repeated AJAX requests with suspicious parameters.

Impact Analysis

An attacker could exploit this to read sensitive data from your WordPress database, modify or delete database contents, or take control of your website. Since it requires only contributor-level access, it poses a significant risk even to sites with basic user roles.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access or exposure of personal data, violating GDPR and HIPAA requirements for data protection and security. A successful exploit may result in data breaches, triggering mandatory breach notifications and potential fines under these regulations.

Mitigation Strategies

Immediately update the Relevanssi plugin to the latest patched version. If an update is unavailable, disable the plugin temporarily or restrict access to the Admin Search page via WordPress user role permissions until a fix is applied.

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