Instant Popup Builder <= 1.1.7 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary Shortcode Execution via 'token' Parameter
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · Low · None
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-862.
Summary
The Instant Popup Builder plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Unauthenticated Arbitrary Shortcode Execution in all versions up to and including 1.1.7. This is due to the handle_email_verification_page() function constructing a shortcode string from user-supplied GET parameters (token, email) and passing it to do_shortcode() without properly sanitizing square bracket characters, combined with missing authorization checks on the init hook. While sanitize_text_field() and esc_attr() are applied, neither function strips or escapes square bracket characters ([ and ]). WordPress's shortcode regex uses [^\]\/]* to match content inside shortcode tags, meaning a ] character in the token value prematurely closes the shortcode tag. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject and execute arbitrary registered shortcodes by crafting a malicious token parameter containing ] followed by arbitrary shortcode syntax.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- Yes
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| instantpopupbuilder | Instant Popup Builder – Powerful Popup Maker for Opt-ins, Email Newsletters & Lead Generation | up to 1.1.7 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- Instant Popup Builder – Powerful Popup Maker for Opt-ins, Email Newsletters & Lead Generation Vendorinstantpopupbuilder Affected up to 1.1.7 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-3475
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-9c7f-g6v7-xwq7
References
Other 6
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/979962e3-9052-4dc9-94d0-3ec8de3d5460?source=cve
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/instant-popup-builder/trunk/public/class-instant-popup-subscription-public.php#L1772
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/instant-popup-builder/tags/1.1.6/public/class-instant-popup-subscription-public.php#L1772
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/instant-popup-builder/trunk/public/class-instant-popup-subscription-public.php#L1761
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/instant-popup-builder/tags/1.1.6/public/class-instant-popup-subscription-public.php#L1761
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=3477334%40instant-popup-builder&new=3477334%40instant-popup-builder&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=
Sources
- CVE-2026-3475 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-3475 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-9c7f-g6v7-xwq7 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences