# CVE-2026-16589: WP Directory Kit SQL injection via data_fields_list parameter

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-16589-wp-directory-kit-sql-injection-via-data-fields-list-parameter  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-08-08. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-16589 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.7 · Published 2026-08-08

WP Directory Kit is a WordPress plugin used to create and manage online directories. An authenticated subscriber can exploit a SQL injection vulnerability in the plugin's AJAX handler to extract sensitive data from the WordPress database, including password hashes and other confidential information, without requiring administrator approval or special permissions.

Technologies: [WP Directory Kit](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/wp-directory-kit). Vendors: [WP Directory Kit](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/wp-directory-kit).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-16589 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-16589 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-16589?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.7, published 8 August 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** WP Directory Kit before 1.5.5.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-16589?** A patch was published on 2026-08-08. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-16589 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-16589?** Check whether you run WP Directory Kit at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The WP Directory Kit plugin before version 1.5.5 contains a SQL injection vulnerability in its authenticated AJAX action `ajax_save_order` within the `wdk_fields` page. The `data_fields_list` parameter is not sanitized or escaped before being used in a SQL statement. The vulnerable AJAX endpoint lacks authorization and nonce checks, allowing any authenticated user, including a Subscriber (the lowest privilege level), to execute arbitrary SQL queries. Attackers can perform blind time-based SQL injection attacks to extract database contents such as password hashes and other sensitive data. The vulnerability is fixed in version 1.5.5.

## Affected products

- WP Directory Kit WP Directory Kit before 1.5.5

## Timeline

- 2026-08-03: disclosed
- 2026-08-08: patched

## References

- [https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/6ee8c3b7-5ffe-4b9e-877a-ea3e1924e8d3/](https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/6ee8c3b7-5ffe-4b9e-877a-ea3e1924e8d3/)

## Related threats

- [WP Directory Kit SQL injection in order parameter](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118421-the-wp-directory-kit-wordpress-plugin-before-1-6-3-does-not)
- [WP Directory Kit SQL injection via main_field parameter](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118420-the-wp-directory-kit-wordpress-plugin-before-1-6-3-does-not)
- [WP Directory Kit unauthenticated data disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118418-the-wp-directory-kit-wordpress-plugin-before-1-6-3-does-not)
- [WP Directory Kit SQL injection in idfield parameter](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-109197-the-wp-directory-kit-plugin-for-wordpress-is-vulnerable-to)
- [WP Directory Kit SQL injection in data_fields_list parameter](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-16596-the-wp-directory-kit-plugin-for-wordpress-is-vulnerable-to)