CVE-2026-16572: 
WordPress vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2026-16572 is an unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability in the LogMyTrip WordPress plugin affecting all versions through 1.9. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to perform SQL injection attacks on any WordPress page that renders one of the plugin's shortcodes by exploiting an unsanitized cookie value (tid) passed directly into a SQL query. It was publicly disclosed on 2026-07-24 and added to the NVD on 2026-08-03. The vulnerability carries a CVSS score of 8.6 (High) and is classified under CWE-89 (WPScan, GitHub Advisory).

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands (CWE-89), specifically the failure to sanitize or escape the tid cookie value before incorporating it into a database query. Because the vulnerable code path is triggered whenever a page renders a LogMyTrip shortcode, no authentication is required — any visitor to such a page can supply a crafted cookie. The attack vector is network-based and requires no user interaction beyond the presence of a shortcode-rendered page. A proof-of-concept has been withheld by WPScan pending remediation of the plugin (WPScan).

Successful exploitation allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary SQL queries against the WordPress database, potentially exposing sensitive data such as user credentials, email addresses, and private content. Attackers could also modify or delete database records, undermining site integrity and availability. In worst-case scenarios, database-level command execution (e.g., via INTO OUTFILE or stored procedures) could facilitate further compromise of the hosting environment (WPScan, GitHub Advisory).

1. Reconnaissance: Identify WordPress sites using the LogMyTrip plugin (version ≤ 1.9) by searching for pages containing LogMyTrip shortcodes (e.g., via Google dorks or tools like WPScan).
2. Identify shortcode-rendered pages: Browse the target site to find pages that render LogMyTrip shortcodes, as the vulnerable code path is only triggered on such pages.
3. Craft malicious cookie: Set the tid cookie to a SQL injection payload (e.g., 1' OR '1'='1 or a UNION-based payload) in the HTTP request to the target page.
4. Send the request: Submit an HTTP GET or POST request to the shortcode-rendered page with the crafted tid cookie value.
5. Extract data: Use time-based blind or UNION-based SQL injection techniques to enumerate database tables, extract WordPress user credentials (hashes), or access other sensitive data from the database (WPScan).

• Network: Unusual HTTP requests to pages with LogMyTrip shortcodes containing SQL metacharacters (e.g., single quotes, UNION, SELECT, OR 1=1) in the Cookie header, particularly in the tid cookie field.
• Logs: WordPress or web server access logs showing repeated requests to shortcode pages with anomalous Cookie header values; database error messages logged by WordPress related to malformed SQL queries.
• Database: Unexpected queries in MySQL general query logs containing SQL injection patterns originating from the LogMyTrip plugin's query context; unusual SELECT statements with UNION or conditional logic.

As of the disclosure date, no fixed version of the LogMyTrip plugin has been released (the plugin has no known fix listed by WPScan). Site administrators should immediately deactivate and remove the LogMyTrip plugin until a patched version is available. As interim mitigations, deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting cookie values, and monitor database and access logs for suspicious query patterns (WPScan, GitHub Advisory).