CVE-2026-24367: 
WordPress vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2026-24367 is a Blind SQL Injection vulnerability in the ShineTheme Traveler WordPress theme, classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command). It affects all versions of the Traveler theme prior to 3.2.8 and was disclosed on January 22, 2026, by Patchstack, with credit to researcher João Pedro S Alcântara (Kinorth), who reported it on December 23, 2025. The vulnerability carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.5 (High), as assigned by Patchstack (Patchstack).

The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input passed into SQL queries within the ShineTheme Traveler WordPress theme, allowing an authenticated attacker with low privileges (Contributor or Developer level) to inject malicious SQL syntax (CWE-89). The attack is network-based, requires no user interaction, and operates with a changed scope — meaning the impact extends beyond the vulnerable component itself. Because it is a blind SQL injection, the attacker infers database content through differential application responses rather than direct error output, using techniques such as boolean-based or time-based inference (Patchstack).

Successful exploitation allows an authenticated low-privileged attacker to extract sensitive data from the WordPress database — including user credentials, personal information, and site configuration — and potentially modify database contents. The changed scope in the CVSS vector indicates that impacts can extend beyond the Traveler theme itself to the broader WordPress installation and underlying database. Availability may also be partially disrupted, though the primary risk is high-impact confidentiality loss (Patchstack).

As of the time of disclosure, there is no public proof-of-concept exploit and no confirmed in-the-wild exploitation (Patchstack). The EPSS score is approximately 0.021%, indicating a low near-term probability of exploitation. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Patchstack notes that vulnerabilities of this class are sometimes used in mass-exploit campaigns targeting WordPress sites at scale, regardless of site popularity.

1. Reconnaissance: Identify WordPress sites running the ShineTheme Traveler theme in versions prior to 3.2.8 using tools like WPScan, Shodan, or Google dorks (e.g., inurl:wp-content/themes/traveler).
2. Obtain low-privileged access: Register or obtain credentials for a Contributor or Developer-level WordPress account on the target site, as the vulnerability requires authentication.
3. Identify the injectable parameter: Interact with theme-specific functionality (e.g., search, booking, or listing features) and intercept HTTP requests using a proxy tool such as Burp Suite to identify parameters passed to SQL queries.
4. Inject blind SQL payload: Craft boolean-based or time-based blind SQL injection payloads (e.g., ' AND SLEEP(5)-- or ' AND 1=1--) into the vulnerable parameter to confirm exploitability via differential response times or behavior.
5. Extract database contents: Use an automated tool such as sqlmap with the identified injectable parameter to enumerate the database schema, extract WordPress user table credentials (including hashed passwords), and retrieve other sensitive data.
6. Escalate access: Crack extracted password hashes offline or use extracted session tokens to escalate to administrator-level access on the WordPress site (Patchstack).

• Network: Unusual or repeated HTTP requests to Traveler theme endpoints containing SQL metacharacters (e.g., single quotes ', --, SLEEP, WAITFOR, AND 1=1) in query parameters; abnormal response time variations suggesting time-based blind SQL injection.
• Logs: WordPress or web server access logs showing repeated requests to theme-specific URLs with encoded or obfuscated SQL syntax; database slow query logs recording unexpectedly long-running queries.
• Database: Unexpected queries in MySQL general or slow query logs referencing SLEEP(), BENCHMARK(), or boolean conditions not typical of normal theme operation.
• Process: Elevated database CPU or I/O usage during off-peak hours consistent with automated SQL enumeration tools such as sqlmap.

The primary remediation is to upgrade the ShineTheme Traveler WordPress theme to version 3.2.8 or later, which contains the fix for this vulnerability (Patchstack). As interim measures, administrators should restrict the number of accounts with Contributor or higher privileges, implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection detection rules, and monitor database query logs for anomalous patterns. Sites unable to update immediately should consider using Patchstack's virtual patching capability or a similar WAF solution to block exploitation attempts.

Wordfence included CVE-2026-24367 in its weekly WordPress vulnerability report for the period of January 19–25, 2026, highlighting it among notable disclosures (Wordfence Blog). The vulnerability was also noted by TheHackerWire on social platforms including Bluesky and Mastodon. Community reaction has been measured, with Patchstack classifying it as low priority due to the authentication requirement, though noting the class of vulnerability is commonly leveraged in mass WordPress exploit campaigns.