CVE-2026-1463 in NextGEN Gallery Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/18/2026
The Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and Themes – NextGEN Gallery plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 4.0.3 via the 'template' parameter in gallery shortcodes. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Author-level access and above, to include and execute arbitrary .php files on the server, allowing the execution of any PHP code in those files. This can be used to bypass access controls, obtain sensitive data, or achieve code execution in cases where .php file types can be uploaded and included.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-1463 affects the NextGEN Gallery plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 4.0.3. This represents a critical security flaw that exploits a local file inclusion vulnerability through the 'template' parameter within gallery shortcodes. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of user-supplied input, creating an avenue for malicious exploitation that can have severe consequences for WordPress installations. The affected plugin is widely used for photo gallery management, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for website administrators who rely on its functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the plugin's shortcode processing mechanism. When an authenticated user with author-level privileges or higher submits a gallery shortcode containing a malicious 'template' parameter, the plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize this input before using it in file inclusion operations. This lack of proper input filtering creates a direct path for attackers to manipulate the file inclusion process and potentially execute arbitrary PHP code on the affected server. The vulnerability operates at the application level, leveraging the trust placed in legitimate shortcode parameters to bypass normal security boundaries.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to affected WordPress installations. Attackers with author-level access can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The ability to include and execute PHP files means that attackers can perform actions such as reading sensitive configuration files, accessing database credentials, modifying website content, or even installing backdoors for persistent access. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous because it requires only author-level privileges, which many WordPress installations grant to users who should not have such elevated access rights, especially in multi-user environments.
The impact extends beyond simple code execution, as this vulnerability can facilitate data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and system reconnaissance. An attacker could use the included PHP execution capability to gather information about the server environment, installed plugins, and system configurations. The vulnerability's potential for bypassing access controls makes it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have varying levels of access rights. Additionally, if the server allows PHP file uploads, attackers could upload malicious files and then include them through this vulnerability, creating a complete attack chain from initial exploitation to persistent access.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of the NextGEN Gallery plugin where the vulnerability has been addressed. Until such updates are applied, administrators should consider restricting user privileges to prevent unauthorized users from creating gallery shortcodes with malicious parameters. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through PHP. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious shortcode usage patterns and consider implementing web application firewalls to block known malicious parameter values. Regular security audits of WordPress installations, particularly focusing on plugin security, remain essential to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.