CVE-2026-15262 in Admin Columns for ACF Fields Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/01/2026
The Admin Columns for ACF Fields WordPress plugin through 0.3.2 does not escape Advanced Custom Fields values before outputting them in the WordPress admin list-table columns, allowing users with contributor-level access or above to store a payload that executes as JavaScript in the session of higher-privileged users who view the affected post-list screen.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2026
The vulnerability exists within the Admin Columns for ACF Fields WordPress plugin version 0.3.2 and earlier, where insufficient output escaping mechanisms fail to sanitize Advanced Custom Fields values before rendering them in WordPress admin list table columns. This flaw creates a cross-site scripting vulnerability that can be exploited by users with contributor-level access or higher, who can inject malicious payloads into ACF fields. The security issue stems from the plugin's failure to properly escape user-supplied content when displaying it within the administrative interface, specifically in the context of list table columns that display ACF field data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers with relatively low privileges to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the browser sessions of higher-privileged users who view the affected post lists.
The technical exploitation occurs when a contributor or administrator user inputs malicious JavaScript code into an Advanced Custom Field that is subsequently displayed in an admin list table column managed by this plugin. When a user with elevated privileges accesses the post listing page, their browser executes the stored payload within the context of the WordPress administration interface, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Cross-Site Scripting and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as it represents a server-side code injection vector that can be leveraged to deliver malicious payloads to administrators. The flaw specifically manifests in the plugin's rendering logic where ACF field values are directly output without proper HTML escaping or sanitization, creating an environment where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as executable JavaScript.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple XSS exploitation, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks targeting WordPress administrators and editors. An attacker with contributor access could craft payloads that steal admin cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject additional malicious content into the administration interface. This creates a persistent threat vector where compromised administrative sessions become vulnerable to further exploitation, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects all WordPress installations using the affected plugin version and any users who have contributor-level access or higher, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrators delegate editing privileges. The attack surface is broad since it can be triggered simply by viewing post lists that contain malicious ACF field data, requiring no additional user interaction beyond normal administrative browsing.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the output escaping deficiency, while also implementing additional security measures such as role-based access controls that limit which users can modify ACF fields. Administrators should consider implementing content security policies to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts within the WordPress admin interface, and regular monitoring of ACF field data for suspicious payloads. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output sanitization in web applications, particularly when dealing with user-generated content that is subsequently rendered in privileged contexts. Organizations should also implement principle of least privilege practices to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, ensuring that users with contributor-level access cannot inject code that could affect more privileged sessions within the WordPress administration interface.