Read the docs
TI-2026-85754 Aliases CVE-2026-118639GHSA-gmmp-4j2q-5jgv

Surfer WordPress plugin leaks API key, enabling privilege escalation

Priority LOW 30CWE-269Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Network
Privileges required
High
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low
Impact type
Privilege escalation
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
High · High · None
Fix status
Fixed

Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CISA ADP. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-269.

Summary

The Surfer WordPress plugin before 1.8.1.759 exposes a sensitive API credential on the post editor page. Its privileged REST API relies only on that same credential for authorization, which is an improper privilege management flaw (CWE-269). A user with contributor-level access or higher can read the credential and then publish arbitrary posts and perform other privileged actions. A public exploit is linked in the references.

Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-06

Description from the CNA

The Surfer WordPress plugin before 1.8.1.759 discloses a sensitive API credential to low-privileged users through the post editor page and relies on that same credential as the sole authorization for its privileged REST API, allowing users with contributor-level access and above to read the credential and escalate to publishing arbitrary posts and other privileged actions.

Why it matters now

Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00222 12th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Public exploit Yes 1 exploit referenceTagged by the CNA
Fix Fixed Surfer (Unknown): 1.8.1.759

SSVC decision points

CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3

Exploitation
None
Automatable
No
Technical impact
Total

The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
UnknownSurferbefore 1.8.1.7591.8.1.759Patch availableCNA
  • Surfer VendorUnknown Affected before 1.8.1.759 Fixed in 1.8.1.759 Patch available CNA

Remediation

Update the Surfer WordPress plugin to version 1.8.1.759 or later.

Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-06

  • Fix · CNA Surfer (Unknown) Fixed in 1.8.1.759

Timeline

  1. 2026-11-06 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-118639
  2. 2026-11-06 Alias added: GHSA-gmmp-4j2q-5jgv
  3. 2026-11-06 CVSS score added · CISA ADP
  4. 2026-11-06 Weakness changed · CISA ADP
  5. 2026-11-06 CISA SSVC decision points changed

References

Exploit 1

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences