CVE-2022-21664Network attack vector

Blind SQL injection via unsanitized table alias

Published Jan 6, 2022 · Updated Apr 23, 2025

Blind SQL injection in WordPress 4.1.33 through 5.8.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute unintended SQL queries. WP_Meta_Query reuses a sibling clause's table alias in generated SQL without first removing non-word characters supplied through query clauses. Exploitation requires low-privileged authenticated access and a reachable code path that accepts attacker-controlled meta-query clause keys.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability3.75%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Blind SQL injection in WordPress 4.1.33 through 5.8.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute unintended SQL queries. WP_Meta_Query reuses a sibling clause's table alias in generated SQL without first removing non-word characters supplied through query clauses. Exploitation requires low-privileged authenticated access and a reachable code path that accepts attacker-controlled meta-query clause keys.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-21664
Published
Jan 6, 2022
Updated
Apr 23, 2025
Vendor
WordPress.org
Product
WordPress
Classifications
CWE-89, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 6, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 23, 2025Record 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=>= 4.1.33, < 5.8.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

WordPress.org · WordPressversion=>= 4.1.33, < 5.8.3

Published CVSS scores

7.4GitHubCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L
8.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.5NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P

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

Weakness, pattern, technique

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

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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