CVE-2026-4004
Received Received - Intake

Arbitrary Shortcode Execution in WordPress Task Manager Plugin

Publication date: 2026-03-21

Last updated on: 2026-03-21

Assigner: Wordfence

Description
The Task Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary shortcode execution via the 'search' AJAX action in all versions up to, and including, 3.0.2. This is due to missing capability checks in the callback_search() function and insufficient input validation that allows shortcode syntax (square brackets) to pass through sanitize_text_field() and be concatenated into a do_shortcode() call. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to execute arbitrary shortcodes on the site by injecting shortcode syntax into parameters like 'task_id', 'point_id', 'categories_id', or 'term'.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-03-21
Last Modified
2026-03-21
Generated
2026-07-06
AI Q&A
2026-03-21
EPSS Evaluated
2026-07-05
NVD
CVE-2026-4004
EUVD
EUVD-2026-14150

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
wordfence task_manager to 3.0.2 (inc)

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-94 The product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment.

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Executive Summary

The vulnerability exists in the Task Manager plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 3.0.2. It allows authenticated users with Subscriber-level access or higher to execute arbitrary shortcodes on the site. This happens because the 'search' AJAX action lacks proper capability checks in its callback_search() function and does not sufficiently validate input. Specifically, shortcode syntax (square brackets) can bypass the sanitize_text_field() function and be passed into a do_shortcode() call, enabling shortcode injection through parameters like 'task_id', 'point_id', 'categories_id', or 'term'.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can allow an attacker with low-level authenticated access to execute arbitrary shortcodes on the WordPress site. This could lead to unauthorized actions such as content manipulation, execution of malicious code, or other unintended behaviors depending on the shortcodes available and their effects. It may compromise the integrity and security of the website.

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