Shortcode execution in Broken Link Checker WordPress plugin
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · Low · None
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-94.
Summary
The Broken Link Checker plugin for WordPress is affected up to and including version 2.4.14.1. A callback action does not properly validate a value before running do_shortcode, a code injection flaw (CWE-94). An unauthenticated attacker can get arbitrary shortcodes executed once a comment containing the shortcode in an href or src attribute is approved through normal moderation, and WP-Cron runs it without further attacker interaction.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-28
Description from the CNA
The The Broken Link Checker plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary shortcode execution in all versions up to, and including, 2.4.14.1. This is due to the software allowing users to execute an action that does not properly validate a value before running do_shortcode. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary shortcodes. Exploitation requires that a submitted comment containing the shortcode payload in an href or src attribute is approved through the site's normal comment moderation workflow; once approved, the shortcode is executed automatically via WP-Cron without any further attacker interaction.
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
Remediation
The sources list no fixed version for Broken Link Checker.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-28
Timeline
- 2026-10-16 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-96562
- 2026-10-16 CISA SSVC decision points changed
- 2026-10-16 Priority changed: MEDIUM → LOW
- 2026-10-16 Alias added: GHSA-fj49-q4jm-g898
References
Other 6
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/04cc4b99-8c27-4f95-b860-608c01af843b?source=cve
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/broken-link-checker/tags/2.4.14.1/legacy/modules/parsers/html_link.php#L72
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/broken-link-checker/tags/2.4.14.1/legacy/modules/parsers/image.php#L66
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/broken-link-checker/tags/2.4.14.1/legacy/modules/containers/comment.php#L229
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/broken-link-checker/tags/2.4.14.1/legacy/includes/containers.php#L298
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?reponame=&old=3740705%40broken-link-checker&new=3740705%40broken-link-checker
More wpmudev vulnerabilities
- TI-2023-04240 Forminator <= 1.24.6 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Upload CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2023-04683 Defender Security < 4.1.0 - Protection Bypass (Hidden Login Page) CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.3
- TI-2026-13248 Forminator Forms <= 1.56.1 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Upload via Forged Upload Field Configuration CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2025-05864 Forminator Forms – Contact Form, Payment Form & Custom Form Builder <= 1.44.2… CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2024-20466 SQL injection in wpmudev Forminator CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.2
- TI-2024-07873 Hustle < 7.8.5 - Admin+ Stored XSS CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 4.8
Sources
- CVE-2026-96562 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-96562 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-fj49-q4jm-g898 · 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