CVE-2026-61970 in Auto Featured Image Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/13/2026
Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in Themeisle Auto Featured Image (Auto Post Thumbnail) auto-post-thumbnail allows Server Side Request Forgery.This issue affects Auto Featured Image (Auto Post Thumbnail): from n/a through <= 5.0.4.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2026
Server-side request forgery vulnerabilities represent a critical class of security flaws that allow attackers to induce the server to make requests to arbitrary destinations. This particular vulnerability exists within the Themeisle Auto Featured Image plugin, specifically in the auto-post-thumbnail component, where the software fails to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied input before using it in HTTP requests. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that permit remote attackers to manipulate the plugin's functionality to make unintended network connections to internal or external systems.
The technical flaw manifests when the plugin processes user-provided URLs or parameters without adequate sanitization, enabling an attacker to craft malicious requests that bypass normal network restrictions and access resources that should be protected. This vulnerability affects versions of the Auto Featured Image plugin up to and including version 5.0.4, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple releases. The flaw operates at the application layer where HTTP requests are constructed and executed, making it particularly dangerous as it can potentially allow access to internal network services that would normally be restricted from external access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exfiltration, as it can enable attackers to perform reconnaissance activities against internal systems, access sensitive information, or even facilitate further exploitation through chained attacks. An attacker could potentially use this vulnerability to scan internal networks, access database servers, or target other vulnerable services that are not directly exposed to the internet but are reachable from the web server hosting the vulnerable plugin. This creates a significant risk for organizations where the WordPress installation serves as an entry point for attackers seeking to expand their foothold within the network infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-918, which specifically addresses Server-Side Request Forgery in web applications, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers may leverage this flaw to indirectly access internal resources through DNS resolution mechanisms. Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of the Auto Featured Image plugin where this vulnerability has been patched, implement network segmentation to limit access to sensitive internal systems, and monitor for unusual outbound network connections that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, input validation controls should be strengthened across all user-facing parameters to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack.