CVE-2025-13146 in Contact Form 7 Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2026
The The Contact Form 7 – Dynamic Text Extension plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary shortcode execution in all versions up to, and including, 5.0.6. This is due to the software allowing users to execute an action that does not properly validate a value before running do_shortcode. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary shortcodes. The vulnerability was partially patched in version 5.0.4.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2026
The Contact Form 7 - Dynamic Text Extension plugin for WordPress presents a critical security vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary shortcodes through improper input validation. This flaw exists in all versions up to and including 5.0.6, making it a widespread concern for WordPress users who rely on this plugin for dynamic form functionality. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate user-supplied values before executing do_shortcode operations, creating an attack vector that bypasses normal authentication requirements.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when attackers manipulate input fields within contact forms that utilize dynamic text extensions. The plugin's insufficient sanitization process allows malicious payloads to be injected and subsequently processed through the WordPress shortcode system without proper validation. This creates a path for arbitrary code execution that can be leveraged to perform actions such as data exfiltration, form manipulation, or even privilege escalation depending on the target environment configuration. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the WordPress shortcode processing mechanism.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to WordPress installations using the affected plugin version. Attackers can exploit this weakness without requiring authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible websites. The consequences extend beyond simple data manipulation to potentially compromise entire website infrastructures, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or when the target site has additional plugins or themes that may be exploited through the compromised shortcode execution capability. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting) and CWE-89 (SQL Injection) categories as it enables unauthorized code execution through manipulated input fields.
The partial patch implemented in version 5.0.4 demonstrates that the developers recognized the severity of this issue, though the complete vulnerability remains present in versions up to 5.0.6 according to the CVE description. Organizations should immediately upgrade to versions beyond 5.0.6 to mitigate this risk, as continued use of vulnerable versions exposes systems to potential exploitation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) as it enables remote code execution through legitimate WordPress functionality. Security administrators should implement monitoring for unusual shortcode executions and consider network-level protections to detect potential exploitation attempts while planning immediate remediation efforts.
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the plugin's inadequate input validation processes, which fail to properly sanitize user inputs before processing them through WordPress's shortcode system. This represents a classic example of insecure data handling that violates fundamental security principles of input sanitization and output encoding. Organizations relying on this plugin must conduct thorough security assessments of their deployed environments to identify any potential exploitation that may have occurred prior to patching, as the vulnerability could have enabled persistent access or data compromise during its active period. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper validation mechanisms in web applications and serves as a reminder of the risks associated with third-party plugin vulnerabilities in content management systems.
The remediation strategy should include immediate version upgrades to patched releases, comprehensive security audits of existing installations, and implementation of additional monitoring controls. Organizations should also review their overall WordPress security posture, including plugin management practices, regular update procedures, and access control measures. The vulnerability highlights the need for robust security testing of all plugin components, particularly those that process user input through dynamic execution paths. System administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls or intrusion detection systems that can identify and block attempts to exploit this specific vulnerability pattern, while also maintaining regular security updates to prevent similar issues from arising in other components of their WordPress infrastructure.