CVE-2026-57663: SQL Injection in Zip Recipes WordPress Plugin – Patch & Detection Guide

Technical summary

CVE-2026-57663 is a CWE-89 SQL injection vulnerability in Zip Recipes plugin versions up to 8.2.7. The vulnerability exists in a contributor-accessible code path, meaning an attacker must have at least contributor privileges on the WordPress installation. The SQL injection point accepts unsanitized user input without parameterized queries or prepared statements, allowing an authenticated attacker to manipulate SQL logic. The CVSS 3.1 vector (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:L) reflects high confidentiality impact with cross-scope access (affects database confidentiality), low availability impact, and no integrity modification (the vector does not include write capability in this instance).

Business impact

A successful exploitation could expose sensitive site data—user information, recipe metadata, or other database records—to an attacker with contributor access. While the vulnerability does not enable direct defacement or data modification at the database level according to the severity vector, an attacker could disrupt service availability or gather information for secondary attacks. For publishers relying on Zip Recipes for food blog monetization or subscriber management, unauthorized data access represents both privacy and compliance risk, particularly under GDPR or CCPA if personal data is stored in the affected database.

Affected systems

WordPress installations running the Zip Recipes plugin (Recipe Maker For Your Food Blog) in version 8.2.7 or earlier are affected. The vulnerability requires an attacker to hold at least contributor-level WordPress user role, which includes regular content authors and recipe creators. Self-hosted WordPress sites using this plugin are the primary target; managed WordPress hosting may vary in patch application speed.

Exploitability

The vulnerability is exploitable by any authenticated user with contributor or higher privileges. No user interaction is required once an attacker gains valid credentials. The network-accessible nature of WordPress (AV:N) and low complexity (AC:L) make exploitation straightforward for someone already inside the site. However, the requirement for valid contributor-level credentials (PR:L) significantly narrows the attack surface compared to unauthenticated exploits. Compromised contributor accounts—whether through weak passwords, phishing, or lateral movement—represent the most likely attack vector.

Remediation

Update the Zip Recipes plugin to a version newer than 8.2.7. Verify patch availability from the plugin's official repository or vendor advisory before applying. Additionally, audit contributor accounts on affected WordPress sites; revoke unnecessary privileges and enforce strong password policies. Restrict contributor role assignment to trusted individuals, and monitor database query logs for anomalous SQL patterns in the interim.

Patch guidance

Visit the WordPress plugin repository or the Zip Recipes official website to confirm the availability of a patched version above 8.2.7. Apply the patch through the WordPress admin dashboard (Plugins > Installed Plugins > Update) or manually via FTP/SFTP if required. Test patches in a staging environment before production deployment to ensure compatibility with other plugins and custom recipe content. Verify the update completes successfully and that recipe functionality remains intact post-patch.

Detection guidance

Monitor WordPress user activity logs for unusual contributor account logins or actions, particularly from unexpected IP addresses or during off-hours. Database query logs may show SQL injection patterns such as UNION, SELECT, OR 1=1, or other SQL keywords in recipe-related requests. Enable WordPress security logging plugins (e.g., Wordfence, Sucuri) to capture suspicious contributor-level activity. Check web server access logs for POST requests to recipe-related endpoints with encoded or obfuscated SQL payloads in query parameters.

Why prioritize this

HIGH CVSS score (8.5) combined with the real-world prevalence of WordPress food blogs and recipe plugins elevates priority. While contributor-level access is required, many WordPress sites operate with loose contributor policies, and compromised contributor accounts are common attack outcomes. The cross-scope impact (S:C) means an attacker can access data beyond their normal scope, increasing the severity for multi-tenant or data-sensitive environments. Organizations with food blogs, dietary content, or integrated e-commerce should prioritize patching immediately.

Risk score, explained

The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.5 (HIGH) reflects: high confidentiality impact (information disclosure), low availability impact (partial service degradation), and no integrity impact (no direct data modification). Network-accessible interface (AV:N) and low attack complexity (AC:L) increase likelihood of exploitation; however, the requirement for valid credentials (PR:L) provides a control. The cross-scope capability (S:C) indicates the attacker can access data or systems beyond their assigned permissions, justifying the elevated score.

Frequently asked questions