CVE-2021-24866Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Arbitrary table deletion via unescaped backup date

Published Dec 6, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

SQL injection in WP Data Access before 5.0.0 allows remote authenticated users with administrator access to delete arbitrary database tables. The repository backup-removal handler places the backup_date POST parameter into a SQL statement without sanitization or escaping. A valid administrator session and nonce are required, and exploitation can destroy selected database tables rather than merely expose query errors.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability1.57%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

SQL injection in WP Data Access before 5.0.0 allows remote authenticated users with administrator access to delete arbitrary database tables. The repository backup-removal handler places the backup_date POST parameter into a SQL statement without sanitization or escaping. A valid administrator session and nonce are required, and exploitation can destroy selected database tables rather than merely expose query errors.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-24866
Published
Dec 6, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Passionate Programmer Peter
Product
WP Data Access
Classifications
CWE-89, T1485
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 6, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=5.0.0 <5.0.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Passionate Programmer Peter · WP Data Accessversion=5.0.0 <5.0.0

Published CVSS scores

7.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-89Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
T1485Data Destruction

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo