CVE-2026-16954 in AI Engine Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/06/2026
The AI Engine WordPress plugin before 3.6.4 does not redact secret configuration values before exposing them in an admin page's inline script data, allowing users with the Editor role to read the site's stored third-party API key and authentication tokens in cleartext, despite those secrets being restricted to administrators everywhere else.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2026
The vulnerability in question affects the AI Engine WordPress plugin version 3.6.3 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the principle of least privilege and proper access control within web applications. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization practices during the rendering of administrative interfaces, where sensitive configuration data is inadvertently exposed through inline script elements that are accessible to users with the Editor role.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in how the plugin handles secret configuration values during admin page generation. When the WordPress administration interface loads for editors, the plugin embeds cleartext API keys and authentication tokens directly into JavaScript inline scripts within the HTML response. This occurs despite these credentials being properly restricted to administrator-level access throughout the rest of the application's interface and functionality. The vulnerability represents a classic case of improper data handling where sensitive information flows through an unauthorized access path, bypassing established security controls that normally protect such credentials from lower-privileged users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows malicious actors with Editor privileges to escalate their access within the WordPress environment. An attacker who gains an Editor account can immediately obtain all stored third-party API keys and authentication tokens, potentially enabling them to compromise external services, exfiltrate data, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of the compromised site. This threat is particularly concerning because editors typically have limited access to core system functions but are granted sufficient permissions to modify content and manage media files. The exposure of these secrets creates a direct pathway for attackers to bypass normal security boundaries and potentially gain control over integrated services that rely on these credentials.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with multiple categories within the CWE taxonomy including CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information) and CWE-532 (Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File). The issue also maps to several ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access, particularly T1566 (Phishing for Information) and T1528 (Steal Application Access Token). Organizations using this plugin face increased risk of data breaches and service compromise, as the exposed credentials can be leveraged for lateral movement within cloud environments or to perform actions against third-party services that trust the compromised site.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrade to AI Engine plugin version 3.6.4 or later, which includes proper redaction of sensitive configuration values in admin interface scripts. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive access control measures including regular privilege reviews, monitoring for unauthorized administrative activities, and ensuring that only trusted personnel maintain Editor accounts. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level restrictions on API endpoint access and regularly rotate credentials for services integrated with the WordPress platform to minimize potential impact from credential exposure.