Participants Database WordPress plugin: Blind SQL injection
Summary
The Participants Database WordPress plugin up to and including version 2.7.8.5 contains a blind SQL injection vulnerability (CWE-89) with a CVSS score of 9.3 (critical). According to Patchstack, an attacker can read, modify or delete the entire database, including user accounts and personal data of participants. Patchstack reports no official patch and no exploitation known so far; the required privileges are reported inconsistently across sources and should be verified.
Affected
- Participants Database WordPress plugin, version n/a through 2.7.8.5
- Patchstack lists the vulnerable version as <= 2.7.8.5
Fixed in
- Unknown. Patchstack lists no official patch available.
- Do not assume that 2.7.8.4 or 2.7.8.5 fixes this issue.
Workaround
- No vendor-specific workaround known.
- Patchstack offers a mitigation rule (virtual patch) that blocks attacks until an official patch is available.
- Deactivate and remove the plugin if it is not needed.
Exploitation
- Known exploited: Unknown. No confirmed exploitation found in the sources reviewed.
- Public proof of concept: none found.
- Patchstack expects the vulnerability to be exploited; EPSS score 0.00236 (low).
- Attack requires no authentication and no user interaction according to the CVSS vector; Patchstack lists the required privilege as Developer, which conflicts with the vector.
Our recommendation
- Identify all sites running Participants Database version 2.7.8.5 or earlier.
- Deactivate the plugin where it is not needed.
- Where it is needed, enable a WAF or Patchstack virtual patch and restrict access to the plugin's forms and pages.
- Review database and admin logs for anomalous queries and check for signs of compromise.
- Use a current backup and a least-privilege database account.
- Monitor the Patchstack and xnau.com channels for a fixed release.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Patchstack advisory patchstack.com
- VulDB CVE entry vuldb.com
- NVD mirror (Vulners) vulners.com
- Vulnrichment (Vulners) vulners.com
- WPScan plugin page wpscan.com
- WordPress.org plugin page en-gb.wordpress.org
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 31 Oct 2026, 00:48.
Original description (NVD)
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in xnau webdesign Participants Database participants-database allows Blind SQL Injection.This issue affects Participants Database: from n/a through 2.7.8.5.
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
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