# CVE-2026-16596: WP Directory Kit SQL injection in data_fields_list parameter

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-16596-the-wp-directory-kit-plugin-for-wordpress-is-vulnerable-to  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-30. Updated: 2026-09-30  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-16596 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.5 · Published 2026-09-30

WP Directory Kit is a WordPress plugin that manages directory listings and data on websites. The plugin contains a SQL injection flaw in a parameter that allows authenticated users with minimal privileges to inject malicious SQL commands. An attacker could exploit this to extract sensitive data from the website database, such as user credentials or private directory information.

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-2026-16596 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-16596 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-16596?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.5, published 30 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** WP Directory Kit up to and including 1.5.4.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-16596?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-16596 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-16596?** 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 vulnerability is a SQL injection flaw in the 'data_fields_list' parameter caused by insufficient input escaping and lack of prepared statements. Exploitation requires authentication with custom-level access or above and allows an attacker to append arbitrary SQL queries to extract database information.

## Affected products

- WP Directory Kit WP Directory Kit up to and including 1.5.4

## Timeline

- 2026-09-30: disclosed

## References

- [https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3626960](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3626960)
- [https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/b7b0d55b-00c5-44ee-99a3-9d4d2b400f71?source=cve](https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/b7b0d55b-00c5-44ee-99a3-9d4d2b400f71?source=cve)

## 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 stored cross-site scripting in category and location fields](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-16591-the-wp-directory-kit-wordpress-plugin-before-1-5-8-does-not)