CVE-2026-66474 in Insert Headers and Footers Code Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/27/2026
Unauthenticated Cross Site Request Forgery (CSRF) in Insert Headers and Footers Code – HT Script <= 1.1.8 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2026
This vulnerability involves an unauthenticated cross site request forgery flaw in the Insert Headers and Footers plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions up to and including 1.1.8. The issue stems from insufficient validation of requests originating from authenticated users, allowing malicious actors to exploit the lack of proper CSRF protection mechanisms. Attackers can craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the application, potentially enabling unauthorized actions such as modifying header or footer configurations, adding arbitrary content, or manipulating plugin settings without requiring valid authentication credentials.
The technical implementation flaw occurs within the plugin's request handling logic where anti-CSRF tokens are either absent or improperly validated during critical operations. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352 which specifically addresses cross site request forgery conditions in web applications. The weakness exists in the plugin's failure to implement proper state verification mechanisms that would ensure requests originate from legitimate sources within the same session context. When users visit malicious sites or are tricked into clicking compromised links, attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform unauthorized administrative actions through the victim's authenticated session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes as it represents a significant security risk for WordPress installations using the affected plugin. An attacker with knowledge of the target site's structure could potentially inject malicious content into headers or footers, which would then be served to all visitors, creating persistent XSS attack vectors or redirecting users to malicious domains. The vulnerability also poses risks for privilege escalation scenarios where attackers might gain access to administrative functions that should otherwise require proper authentication. This type of attack vector is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where WordPress installations often serve as content management platforms for sensitive organizational data.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest plugin version where the CSRF protection has been properly implemented, ensuring proper token validation mechanisms are in place, and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing additional web application firewalls and security headers that can help detect and prevent such attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and state management in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1548.003 which covers abuse of authentication systems to gain unauthorized access. Regular security audits should verify that all plugins and themes implement proper CSRF protection mechanisms as part of baseline security requirements for WordPress environments.