CVE-2026-96256
Received Received - Intake

Stored XSS in Gutenberg Essential Blocks WordPress Plugin

Publication date: 2026-10-01

Last updated on: 2026-10-01

Assigner: Wordfence

Description
The Gutenberg Essential Blocks – Page Builder for Gutenberg Blocks & Patterns plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the Google Map block's 'marker' attribute in versions up to, and including, 6.4.5 This is due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on marker title/content values, which are stored as JSON and then decoded and concatenated directly into raw HTML by the frontend script's InfoWindow content builder. 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.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-10-01
Last Modified
2026-10-01
Generated
2026-10-01
AI Q&A
2026-10-01
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
CVE-2026-96256
EUVD
EUVD-2026-90594

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
gutenberg essential_blocks to 6.4.5 (inc)

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

This vulnerability is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaw in the Gutenberg Essential Blocks plugin for WordPress. It allows attackers with Contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts via the Google Map block's marker attribute. The issue occurs due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping, enabling stored scripts that execute when users access affected pages.

Detection Guidance

To detect this vulnerability, inspect WordPress sites using the Gutenberg Essential Blocks plugin version 6.4.5 or lower. Check for unauthorized Google Map blocks with malicious marker attributes. Use commands like grep to search plugin files for 'marker' attributes in JSON data or scan for unusual HTML injection in page content.

Impact Analysis

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow attackers to steal user sessions, deface websites, or redirect visitors to malicious sites. Users with Contributor-level access or higher could compromise site integrity, affecting both site owners and visitors.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized data access or modification, violating GDPR's data protection requirements and HIPAA's security rules for protected health information. Organizations may face compliance breaches if user data is compromised through this exploit.

Mitigation Strategies

Update the Gutenberg Essential Blocks plugin to the latest version, which patches the Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability in the Google Map block's marker attribute. Ensure input sanitization and output escaping are properly implemented for marker title/content values.

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