CVE-2026-22191 in wpDiscuz
Summary
by MITRE • 03/13/2026
wpDiscuz before 7.6.47 contains a shortcode injection vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary shortcodes by including them in comment content sent via email notifications. Attackers can inject shortcodes like [contact-form-7] or [user_meta] in comments, which are executed server-side when the WpdiscuzHelperEmail class processes notifications through do_shortcode() before wp_mail().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-22191 represents a critical shortcode injection flaw within the wpDiscuz plugin for WordPress systems. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 7.6.47 and stems from improper input sanitization within the email notification processing mechanism. The issue arises when user-generated content containing malicious shortcodes is submitted through comment forms and subsequently processed by the WpdiscuzHelperEmail class. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables attackers to execute arbitrary shortcodes server-side, bypassing typical client-side restrictions that would normally prevent such execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of comment content within the email notification system. When comments are processed for email alerts, the WpdiscuzHelperEmail class invokes the do_shortcode() function without adequate sanitization or validation of the input content. This creates a direct path for attackers to inject malicious shortcodes such as [contact-form-7] or [user_meta] directly into comment fields. These shortcodes are then executed server-side during the email notification process, allowing attackers to leverage the full capabilities of the WordPress shortcode system. The vulnerability essentially transforms legitimate comment content into a vehicle for arbitrary code execution, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where comment moderation may be insufficient.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code injection, creating potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within WordPress environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive user information, manipulate database content, or even establish persistent access through the execution of malicious shortcodes that may interact with other plugins or core WordPress functionality. The server-side execution of shortcodes means that the attack surface includes not just the immediate plugin but potentially the entire WordPress installation, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations. This vulnerability particularly affects websites that rely heavily on user-generated content and email notifications, as the attack vector requires only a single comment submission to be effective.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate plugin updates to version 7.6.47 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive content filtering and sanitization policies for all user-generated content, particularly within comment systems and email notification workflows. The implementation of a robust security monitoring system that tracks shortcode execution patterns and unusual content submissions can provide early detection of potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, network-level security controls such as web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious shortcode patterns. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting) and CWE-94 (Code Injection) categories, while the attack methodology follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.008 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python) and T1566 (Phishing) when combined with social engineering approaches. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security audits of plugin configurations to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other components of their WordPress infrastructure.