CVE-2026-11977: WP Post Author <= 3.9.1 - Authenticated (Author+) SQL Injection
The WP Post Author – Author Box, Multiple Authors, Guest Authors & Custom Avatars plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to generic SQL Injection via the 'wpmametaboxauthorslist' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 3.9.1 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with author-level access and above, to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database. Exploitation is a two-step chain: an attacker first saves a crafted guest-author token via the wpmametaboxauthorslist parameter during post creation or editing, then triggers the injection when any admin user loads the post list screen at /wp-admin/edit.php, causing the injected SQL result to be rendered in the Authors column.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
WordPress plugin: WP Post Author – Author Box, Multiple Authors, Guest Authors & Custom Avatarsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 3.9.1
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-11977?
The severity of CVE-2026-11977 is medium, with a CVSS score of 6.5.
What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-11977?
CVE-2026-11977 is identified as an SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the WP Post Author plugin.
How do I fix CVE-2026-11977?
To fix CVE-2026-11977, you should update the WP Post Author plugin to the latest version beyond 3.9.1.
Which plugin is affected by CVE-2026-11977?
CVE-2026-11977 affects the WP Post Author – Author Box, Multiple Authors, Guest Authors & Custom Avatars plugin for WordPress.
What is the impact of CVE-2026-11977?
The impact of CVE-2026-11977 allows an authenticated user to execute arbitrary SQL queries, potentially compromising database integrity.