CVE-2026-16685
Received Received - Intake

Stored XSS in WordPress Download Manager Plugin

Publication date: 2026-08-01

Last updated on: 2026-08-01

Assigner: Wordfence

Description
The Download Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via 'icon' Shortcode Attribute in all versions up to, and including, 3.3.66 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. 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. wp_kses_post() does not neutralize the payload because it operates on post content at save time and does not process shortcode attribute values that are emitted unescaped at render time.

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

Probability:
Percentile:

Meta Information

Published
2026-08-01
Last Modified
2026-08-01
Generated
2026-08-01
AI Q&A
2026-08-01
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
CVE-2026-16685
EUVD
EUVD-2026-51751

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
wordfence download_manager to 3.3.66 (inc)

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE
CWE Icon
KEV
KEV Icon
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 Quick Actions

Instant insights powered by AI
Executive Summary

The Download Manager plugin for WordPress has a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in the 'icon' shortcode attribute. This affects versions up to 3.3.66. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher can inject malicious scripts into pages. These scripts execute when users view the affected pages because wp_kses_post() does not neutralize the payload in shortcode attribute values at render time.

Detection Guidance

Check WordPress installations for the Download Manager plugin version 3.3.66 or lower. Inspect pages or posts using the 'icon' shortcode attribute for suspicious scripts. Review contributor-level user activity logs for unauthorized page edits.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into your WordPress site. If you visit an infected page, the script could steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive data. It may also deface your site or redirect users to malicious websites. Attackers need contributor-level access or higher to exploit this.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could lead to data breaches, exposing user data. For GDPR, this may result in fines due to unauthorized data access. For HIPAA, it could violate patient data protection requirements. Compliance violations may occur if user data is compromised through this exploit.

Mitigation Strategies

Update the Download Manager plugin to the latest version. Remove or restrict contributor-level access to untrusted users. Manually review and sanitize existing 'icon' shortcode attributes in posts and pages.

Chat Assistant

Ask questions about this CVE
Hi! I’m here to help you understand CVE-2026-16685. Ask me anything about the vulnerability, its impact, or mitigation strategies.
0/70

EPSS Chart