Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2026-1257 affects the Administrative Shortcodes WordPress plugin through version 0.3.4. A logged-in user with Contributor permissions or higher may abuse a shortcode attribute to include local server files. In some conditions, this can expose sensitive data or lead to PHP code execution.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority WordPress plugin issue where untrusted contributors exist. Prioritize internet-facing sites, publishing workflows with many users, and environments that permit file uploads. If no fixed version is available, reduce exposure by disabling the plugin or limiting eligible users.
Technical view
The plugin’s get_template shortcode accepts a slug attribute that is insufficiently validated before reaching WordPress get_template_part(). This creates a local file inclusion issue categorized as CWE-98. The CVSS 3.1 score is 7.5, with low privileges required, high attack complexity, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
WordPress sites are exposed if they run Administrative Shortcodes version 0.3.4 or earlier and allow Contributor-level or higher users, especially untrusted accounts, to create content using shortcodes.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not indicate CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. Exploitation requires authenticated Contributor-level access or higher. Impact depends on reachable local files and whether uploaded or existing files can be included as executable PHP.
Researcher notes
Evidence is based on the CVE record, Wordfence advisory, and WordPress plugin code references. The vulnerable path is tied to the slug attribute in get_template. No exploit code, public exploitation confirmation, or named fixed version is provided in the source bundle.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites for the Administrative Shortcodes plugin and its installed version.
- If version 0.3.4 or earlier is present, check WordPress.org or vendor guidance for an update.
- Disable or remove the plugin where it is not business-critical.
- Restrict Contributor-level access to trusted users only.
- Review uploaded files and content created by Contributor-level users.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether Administrative Shortcodes is installed on each WordPress site.
- Verify the plugin version is greater than 0.3.4 if a fixed release exists.
- Review roles for users with Contributor, Author, Editor, or Administrator permissions.
- Search recent posts or drafts for use of the get_template shortcode.
- Check web server and WordPress logs for suspicious shortcode-related activity.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-98: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2026-1257 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.65.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.5HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/119fe499-88c4-413f-a44a-2b3acfdbdeb5?source=cveCVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/administrative-shortcodes/trunk/administrative-shortcodes.php#L144CVE reference
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/administrative-shortcodesCVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/administrative-shortcodes/tags/0.3.4/administrative-shortcodes.php#L144CVE reference
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion')
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.