# CVE-2023-23737: WordPress MainWP Broken Links Checker Extension Plugin <= 4.0 is vulnerable to SQL Injection

> Unauthenticated attackers can exploit SQL injection in the MainWP Broken Links Checker Extension to read or modify database contents.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.3 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:L`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 12 Oct 2023
- **Updated:** 28 Apr 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-9vph-3jrp-5jwh

## What is CVE-2023-23737?

CVE-2023-23737 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability in MainWP Broken Links Checker Extension, published on 12 Oct 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Unauth. SQL Injection (SQLi) vulnerability in MainWP MainWP Broken Links Checker Extension plugin <= 4.0 versions.

Weakness: CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-23737?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Managewp Broken Link Checker.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-23737?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-23737 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-23737 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-23737 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in MainWP Broken Links Checker Extension

- [CVE-2022-2438](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-2438/): Broken Link Checker <= 1.11.16 - Authenticated (Admin+) PHAR Deserialization (high 7.2)
- [CVE-2019-16521](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-16521/): Cross-site scripting in n/a (medium 6.1)
- [CVE-2019-17207](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-17207/): Cross-site scripting in n/a (medium 5.4)
- [CVE-2022-3922](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-3922/): Broken Link Checker < 1.11.20 - Admin+ Cross-Site Scripting (medium 4.8)
- [CVE-2024-10903](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-10903/): Broken Link Checker < 2.4.2 - Admin+ SSRF (medium 4.7)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-23737 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-23737 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability in MainWP Broken Links Checker Extension, published on 12 Oct 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-23737 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: MainWP Broken Links Checker Extension. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-23737/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-23737/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-23737
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-23737
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-23737

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-23737/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.