📄 Description (English)
The Advanced Database Cleaner – Premium plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in versions up to, and including, 4.1.0 via the 'template' parameter. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to include and execute arbitrary .php files on the server, allowing the execution of any PHP code in those files. This can be used to bypass access controls, obtain sensitive data, or achieve code execution in cases where .php file types can be uploaded and included.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2026-7522 is a critical Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the Advanced Database Cleaner WordPress plugin (versions ≤4.1.0) that allows authenticated Subscriber-level users to execute arbitrary PHP code through the 'template' parameter. With no patch currently available and no exploit publicly disclosed, this represents a significant risk to WordPress installations in Saudi Arabia, particularly those managing sensitive business or government data. The vulnerability requires authentication but can be exploited by low-privileged users to achieve full server compromise.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 21, 2026 19:49
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability poses significant risk to Saudi organizations using WordPress, particularly: (1) Banking and Financial Services (SAMA-regulated entities) hosting customer portals or internal management systems; (2) Government agencies and ministries using WordPress for public-facing services or internal documentation; (3) Healthcare providers (MOH, private hospitals) managing patient data through WordPress; (4) Energy sector (ARAMCO, utilities) using WordPress for operational dashboards; (5) Telecommunications (STC, Mobily) managing customer-facing platforms. The LFI vulnerability combined with PHP execution capability could lead to data exfiltration, ransomware deployment, or lateral movement into critical infrastructure networks.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking and Financial Services
Government and Public Administration
Healthcare
Energy and Utilities
Telecommunications
E-commerce and Retail
Education
Media and Publishing
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application
T1133 - External Remote Services
T1105 - Ingress Tool Transfer
T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter
T1059.004 - Unix Shell
T1083 - File and Directory Discovery
T1087 - Account Discovery
T1041 - Exfiltration Over C2 Channel
T1486 - Data Encrypted for Impact
T1570 - Lateral Tool Transfer
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
8.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Disable the Advanced Database Cleaner plugin immediately across all WordPress installations
2. Audit WordPress user accounts with Subscriber-level or higher access; review recent login logs for suspicious activity
3. Scan server logs for requests containing 'template' parameter variations to identify exploitation attempts
4. Review uploaded files for suspicious .php files that may have been uploaded and included
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Monitor the plugin's official repository for security updates; upgrade immediately when patch is released
2. If plugin functionality is critical, contact the plugin developer for security advisory timeline
3. Consider alternative database management plugins with better security track records
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (until patch available):
1. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block requests with 'template' parameter in Advanced Database Cleaner paths
2. Restrict plugin access via .htaccess: deny direct access to plugin directory
3. Implement strict file upload restrictions; disable PHP execution in upload directories via .htaccess or nginx configuration
4. Reduce user privileges: audit and remove unnecessary Subscriber+ accounts
5. Enable WordPress security plugins (Wordfence, Sucuri) with real-time malware scanning
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor for POST/GET requests to /wp-content/plugins/advanced-database-cleaner/ containing 'template=' parameter
2. Alert on any PHP file execution from wp-content/uploads/ directory
3. Track failed and successful authentication attempts followed by plugin access
4. Monitor for unusual process execution spawned by PHP (shell_exec, system, exec functions)
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تعطيل مكون Advanced Database Cleaner فوراً عبر جميع تثبيتات WordPress
2. تدقيق حسابات مستخدمي WordPress برمز الوصول على مستوى المشترك أو أعلى؛ مراجعة سجلات تسجيل الدخول الأخيرة للنشاط المريب
3. مسح سجلات الخادم للطلبات التي تحتوي على اختلافات معامل 'template' لتحديد محاولات الاستغلال
4. مراجعة الملفات المرفوعة للملفات .php المريبة التي قد تم رفعها وتضمينها
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. مراقبة مستودع المكون الرسمي للتحديثات الأمنية؛ الترقية فوراً عند إصدار التصحيح
2. إذا كانت وظيفة المكون حرجة، اتصل بمطور المكون للحصول على جدول زمني للمشورة الأمنية
3. النظر في مكونات إدارة قواعد البيانات البديلة ذات سجلات أمان أفضل
الضوابط التعويضية (حتى توفر التصحيح):
1. تنفيذ قواعد جدار حماية تطبيقات الويب (WAF) لحظر الطلبات التي تحتوي على معامل 'template' في مسارات Advanced Database Cleaner
2. تقييد وصول المكون عبر .htaccess: رفض الوصول المباشر إلى دليل المكون
3. تنفيذ قيود صارمة على رفع الملفات؛ تعطيل تنفيذ PHP في دلائل التحميل عبر .htaccess أو تكوين nginx
4. تقليل امتيازات المستخدم: تدقيق وإزالة حسابات Subscriber+ غير الضرورية
5. تفعيل مكونات أمان WordPress (Wordfence, Sucuri) مع المسح الفوري للبرامج الضارة
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة طلبات POST/GET إلى /wp-content/plugins/advanced-database-cleaner/ التي تحتوي على معامل 'template='
2. التنبيه على أي تنفيذ ملف PHP من دليل wp-content/uploads/
3. تتبع محاولات المصادقة الفاشلة والناجحة متبوعة بوصول المكون
4. مراقبة تنفيذ العمليات غير العادية التي يتم إطلاقها بواسطة PHP (shell_exec, system, exec functions)
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.5.1.1 - Information Security Policies and Procedures
A.6.1.1 - Access Control Policy
A.6.2.1 - User Registration and De-registration
A.6.2.2 - User Access Rights Review
A.8.1.1 - Cryptography Policy
A.8.2.1 - System Hardening
A.8.3.1 - Malware Protection
A.9.1.1 - Event Logging
A.9.2.1 - System Monitoring
A.10.1.1 - Incident Management Policy
🔵 SAMA CSF
Governance - Policy and Risk Management
Governance - Compliance and Audit
Protection - Access Control and Authentication
Protection - Data Protection and Privacy
Detection - Monitoring and Logging
Response - Incident Management
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.5.1 - Management Direction for Information Security
A.6.1 - Internal Organization
A.6.2 - Mobile Device and Teleworking
A.8.1 - User Endpoint Devices
A.8.2 - Privileged Access Rights
A.8.3 - Information Access Restriction
A.9.1 - Event Logging
A.9.2 - System Monitoring
A.9.4 - Logging of Administrator and Operator Activities
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
Requirement 1.1 - Firewall Configuration Standards
Requirement 2.1 - Default Passwords
Requirement 6.2 - Security Patches
Requirement 6.5.1 - Injection Flaws
Requirement 7.1 - Limit Access to Data
Requirement 10.1 - Implement Automated Audit Trails
🔗 References & Sources 3
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https://docs.sigmaplugin.com/article/97-advanced-database-cleaner-chaneglog
security@wordfence.com
https://sigmaplugin.com/downloads/wordpress-advanced-database-cleaner/
security@wordfence.com
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/77e4e516-8a12-48ee-9124-27f94...
security@wordfence.com