CVE-2022-21661Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Database disclosure via unsanitized taxonomy query terms

Published Jan 6, 2022 · Updated Sep 9, 2024

SQL injection in WP_Query in WordPress before 5.8.3 allows remote attackers to disclose database data through plugin or theme query paths. WP_Tax_Query::clean_query passes non-slug and non-name terms through array_unique instead of coercing them to integer IDs before SQL construction. Exploitation requires a plugin or theme to pass attacker-controlled taxonomy query arguments into WP_Query; successful injection can disclose stored credentials.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability97.80%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

SQL injection in WP_Query in WordPress before 5.8.3 allows remote attackers to disclose database data through plugin or theme query paths. WP_Tax_Query::clean_query passes non-slug and non-name terms through array_unique instead of coercing them to integer IDs before SQL construction. Exploitation requires a plugin or theme to pass attacker-controlled taxonomy query arguments into WP_Query; successful injection can disclose stored credentials.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-21661
Published
Jan 6, 2022
Updated
Sep 9, 2024
Vendor
WordPress.org
Product
WordPress
Classifications
CWE-89, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 6, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 9, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=< 5.8.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

WordPress.org · WordPressversion=< 5.8.3

Published CVSS scores

5.0NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N
7.5NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

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.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-89Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

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

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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