CVE-2026-0815 in Category Image Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/11/2026
The Category Image plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'tag-image' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 2.0 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Editor-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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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/12/2026
The Category Image plugin for WordPress presents a significant security vulnerability classified as CVE-2026-0815, which affects all versions up to and including version 2.0. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's handling of the 'tag-image' parameter. The flaw specifically targets authenticated attackers who possess Editor-level privileges or higher, making it particularly concerning for WordPress environments where multiple users with varying permission levels exist. The vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-79, which represents Cross-Site Scripting flaws that occur when untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows malicious actors with sufficient privileges to inject malicious JavaScript code through the 'tag-image' parameter when managing category images within the WordPress admin interface. When an administrator or editor modifies category image settings, the plugin fails to properly sanitize the input data, enabling attackers to embed script tags or other malicious code that will execute in the context of other users' browsers. This stored XSS vulnerability persists in the database and executes whenever any user accesses pages containing the maliciously injected content, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over time without requiring repeated exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of CVE-2026-0815 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive data and system functionality. When executed in a victim's browser, the injected scripts could steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through social engineering, as the malicious scripts could be designed to capture user credentials or manipulate the WordPress administrative interface. The attack vector requires an authenticated user with Editor privileges or higher, but this access level is commonly granted to content creators and administrators, making the vulnerability exploitable in many typical WordPress installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-0815 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the input sanitization issues, as this represents the most effective remediation approach. Organizations should implement strict input validation for all user-supplied data within the WordPress admin interface, particularly for parameters that handle image uploads or metadata. Additionally, administrators should enforce the principle of least privilege by limiting Editor-level access to only those users who absolutely require such permissions. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts, though this should not replace proper input sanitization. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and organizations should maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to monitor for emerging exploits targeting the WordPress ecosystem.