CVE-2026-65522 in Manual Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/23/2026
Contributor Cross Site Scripting (XSS) in Manual - Documentation, Knowledge Base & Education WordPress Theme <= 7.5.4 versions.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2026
This vulnerability involves a cross site scripting flaw in the Manual WordPress theme version 7.5.4 and earlier, where contributor user roles can execute malicious scripts through crafted input fields in the documentation, knowledge base, and education modules. The issue stems from insufficient output sanitization of user-provided content before rendering it on web pages, allowing attackers with contributor privileges to inject harmful javascript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows CWE-79 patterns for cross site scripting, specifically targeting the theme's handling of user-generated content within educational and documentation sections. When contributors create or edit content through the WordPress admin interface, the theme fails to properly escape or filter special characters in text fields, allowing script tags and malicious payloads to persist in the database and execute when other users view the affected pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it elevates privileges from contributor level to potential full system compromise. Contributors typically have limited capabilities within WordPress but can leverage this XSS flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of logged-in users. The vulnerability affects all users who can access the documentation and knowledge base features, which often include editors, authors, and other roles with content management responsibilities.
Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious payloads that target specific user groups or by creating persistent XSS attacks that execute whenever affected pages are loaded. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can facilitate more advanced attacks such as credential theft through cookie harvesting, phishing attempts, or even privilege escalation if the contributor role has access to sensitive administrative functions.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate theme updates to version 7.5.5 or later where the XSS vulnerability has been patched, implementing strict input validation and output sanitization for all user-provided content, and applying proper content security policies to prevent script execution. Organizations should also consider role-based access controls to limit contributor capabilities and implement regular security audits of themes and plugins. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1548.003 for privilege escalation through web application vulnerabilities and demonstrates the importance of securing all user roles within content management systems as outlined in OWASP Top Ten Project recommendations.