CVE-2026-0867
Unknown Unknown - Not Provided

Stored XSS in Essential Widgets WordPress Plugin Shortcodes

Publication date: 2026-02-05

Last updated on: 2026-02-05

Assigner: Wordfence

Description
The Essential Widgets plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's ew-author, ew-archive, ew-category, ew-page, and ew-menu shortcodes in all versions up to, and including, 3.0 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page. NOTE: This vulnerability was partially fixed in version 3.0.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-02-05
Last Modified
2026-02-05
Generated
2026-07-06
AI Q&A
2026-02-05
EPSS Evaluated
2026-07-04
NVD
CVE-2026-0867
EUVD
EUVD-2026-5538

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 2 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
essential_widgets essential_widgets to 3.0 (inc)
essential_widgets essential_widgets 3.0.1

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE
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KEV
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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.

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Executive Summary

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.

Impact Analysis

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.

Compliance Impact

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Detection Guidance

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Mitigation Strategies

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.

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