CVE-2026-11598 in Shortcodify Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/28/2026
The Shortcodify plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via 'name' Shortcode Attribute in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.3 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2026
The Shortcodify plugin for WordPress presents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects all versions through 1.4.3, representing a significant security risk for WordPress installations. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode implementation, specifically targeting the 'name' shortcode attribute. The flaw allows authenticated attackers who possess contributor-level permissions or higher to inject malicious scripts into WordPress pages, creating a persistent threat vector that executes whenever users access compromised content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically classified as stored XSS due to the persistence of malicious code within the application's database. Attackers can exploit this weakness by leveraging their contributor privileges to insert malicious JavaScript payloads through the vulnerable 'name' attribute parameter. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being stored and subsequently rendered in web pages without adequate output escaping mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a dangerous attack surface for WordPress sites using the Shortcodify plugin, as it requires only contributor-level access to exploit effectively. This means that users with relatively low privileges can establish persistent malicious code execution points within the application, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or further privilege escalation attacks. The stored nature of the vulnerability ensures that once exploited, the malicious scripts will execute automatically for any user who accesses the compromised pages, making it particularly dangerous for content management systems where multiple users interact with shared content.
The impact extends beyond immediate script execution as this vulnerability can serve as a launching point for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress environment. Security professionals should consider this weakness in relation to ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1566 for phishing with malicious attachments or links. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise WordPress installations at scale.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, along with implementing proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms throughout the application. Administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as role-based access controls, regular security audits, and monitoring for suspicious activity within contributor accounts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current plugin versions and applying security patches promptly to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses that could compromise entire WordPress installations.