CVE-2026-0867
Stored XSS in Essential Widgets WordPress Plugin Shortcodes
Publication date: 2026-02-05
Last updated on: 2026-02-05
Assigner: Wordfence
Description
Description
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
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Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| essential_widgets | essential_widgets | to 3.0 (inc) |
| essential_widgets | essential_widgets | 3.0.1 |
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
| CWE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-79 | The product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users. |
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
CVE-2026-0867 is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Essential Widgets plugin for WordPress. It occurs because the plugin does not properly sanitize and escape user-supplied attributes in several shortcodes (ew-author, ew-archive, ew-category, ew-page, and ew-menu) in versions up to and including 3.0. This allows authenticated users with contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts into pages, which then execute whenever other users view those pages.
The vulnerability was partially fixed in version 3.0 and fully addressed in version 3.0.1 by implementing rigorous input sanitization, validation, output escaping, nonce verification, direct file access protection, and capability checks.
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
This vulnerability can allow attackers with contributor-level access or above to inject arbitrary malicious scripts into WordPress pages via the Essential Widgets plugin. These scripts execute in the browsers of users who visit the affected pages, potentially leading to unauthorized actions such as stealing cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information.
Such exploitation can result in compromised user accounts, defacement of website content, or further attacks on site visitors, undermining the security and trustworthiness of the affected website.
How does this vulnerability affect compliance with common standards and regulations (like GDPR, HIPAA)?:
I don't know
How can this vulnerability be detected on my network or system? Can you suggest some commands?
I don't know
What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
To mitigate the CVE-2026-0867 vulnerability in the Essential Widgets WordPress plugin, you should immediately update the plugin to version 3.0.1 or later, as these versions include comprehensive fixes addressing the stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability.
- Update the Essential Widgets plugin to version 3.0.1 or newer.
- Ensure that all user inputs in the plugin are properly sanitized and validated, as implemented in the fixed versions.
- Verify that nonce verification and capability checks are enforced to prevent unauthorized actions.
- Confirm that direct file access protection is in place to avoid execution of plugin files outside the WordPress environment.
- Apply output escaping best practices to prevent XSS attacks.
- Review and restrict user permissions to contributor-level or above cautiously, as authenticated users with such access could exploit the vulnerability.