Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2026-1565 affects the WordPress User Frontend plugin through version 4.2.8. A logged-in user with Author-level access or higher may upload files the site should reject. If abused, this could let an attacker place dangerous files on the server and potentially take over the website.
Executive priority
Treat as urgent for WordPress sites with this plugin and multiple content authors. Prioritize internet-facing sites, public communities, and environments where Author access is broadly granted. No active exploitation is confirmed in the provided sources.
Technical view
The issue is arbitrary file upload caused by incorrect file type validation in WPUF_Admin_Settings::check_filetype_and_ext and Admin_Tools::check_filetype_and_ext. The CVSS 3.1 score is 8.8. Scope is authenticated Author+ users, network-reachable, low complexity, no user interaction, with potential confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to WordPress sites running the User Frontend plugin at version 4.2.8 or earlier, where attackers can obtain or already have Author-level credentials or higher. Public registration and contributor-to-author workflows may increase practical risk.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. Exploitation requires authenticated access, but successful abuse may enable remote code execution depending on server configuration and uploaded file handling.
Researcher notes
Wordfence attributes the flaw to CWE-434 and names two validation functions. WordPress Trac references show affected code locations and a later changeset in Admin_Tools.php. The supplied data does not clearly name a fixed plugin version, so confirm vendor release notes before marking fixed.
Mitigation direction
- Identify all WordPress sites using the User Frontend plugin.
- Upgrade to a release newer than 4.2.8 if vendor-published.
- If no update is available, follow vendor guidance and consider disabling the plugin.
- Restrict Author-level access to trusted users only.
- Review upload permissions and server execution controls for upload directories.
Validation and detection
- Confirm installed User Frontend plugin version on each WordPress site.
- Review accounts with Author, Editor, Administrator, or equivalent roles.
- Check recent file uploads for unexpected executable or script-like files.
- Review web and WordPress logs for suspicious authenticated upload activity.
- Verify vendor changelog or WordPress Trac changeset coverage before closing remediation.
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-434: File access and web shell behavior lookup
File traversal and upload weaknesses can lead teams to review file, web shell, execution, and collection telemetry. 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 lookupFile access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2026-1565 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
- 8.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/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:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/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/2c358cbe-7600-43a1-94a3-1530cdb5a9f3?source=cveCVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-user-frontend/trunk/admin/class-admin-settings.php?rev=3448772#L600CVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-user-frontend/trunk/includes/Admin/Admin_Tools.php?rev=3448772#L444CVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3468395/wp-user-frontend/trunk/includes/Admin/Admin_Tools.phpCVE 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.
Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.