CVE-2026-16589
HIGH 7.7 PoC AVAILABLEThe WP Directory Kit WordPress plugin before 1.5.5 does not sanitize and escape a parameter before using it in a SQL statement through one of its authenticated AJAX actions, which lacks authorization and nonce checks, allowing any authenticated user such as a Subscriber to perform SQL injection attacks.
EXPLOIT AVAILABLE
Public exploit or PoC code exists. Modeled probability is still low, but the barrier to attack is reduced — watch closely.
Exploitation likelihood
0.2%chance of exploitation in 30 days · 12th percentile
○ In CISA KEV
● Public exploit / PoC
Impact if exploited
7.7CVSS 3.1 · HIGH
- ConfidentialityHigh
- IntegrityNone
- AvailabilityNone
What an attacker needs
- ✓Access: Reachable over the network — no local access needed
- ⚠Privileges: Requires a low-privilege account
- ✓User interaction: No user interaction needed
- ✓Complexity: No special conditions — reliably repeatable
✓ lowers the bar for an attacker · ⚠ raises it
Proof of concept & exploit code
- reference https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/6ee8c3b7-5ffe-4b9e-877a-ea3e1924e8d3/
- github-search Search GitHub for public PoC repos
Test against your own equipment
curl -s https://vulnpedia.com/cve/CVE-2026-16589/poc.jsonMachine-readable PoC index for this CVE (for automation).Listed for defensive triage, patch verification, and authorized testing on systems you own. Machine-readable: /cve/CVE-2026-16589/poc.json
Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N
All CVSS metrics
- HIGH 7.7 v3.1 · ADP Primary
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N - HIGH 7.7 v3.1 · NVD Secondary
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N