Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2026-4146 affects the Loco Translate WordPress plugin through version 2.8.2. A malicious link could cause script to run in a victim’s browser if clicked. This is not described as server takeover, but it can support account abuse, data exposure in the browser, or unauthorized actions in WordPress context.
Executive priority
Treat as a routine but time-sensitive WordPress plugin update. Prioritize sites with many administrators, public management portals, or high-value content workflows. There is no source-provided evidence of active exploitation, but phishing-driven XSS is practical and commonly abused.
Technical view
The issue is reflected cross-site scripting in the update_href parameter, caused by insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. It is unauthenticated, network-reachable, low complexity, and requires user interaction. The CVSS v3.1 score is 6.1 with changed scope and low confidentiality/integrity impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to WordPress sites running Loco Translate versions up to and including 2.8.2. Risk is higher where administrators or privileged users can be socially engineered into clicking crafted links while authenticated.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. Exploitation requires convincing a user to take an action, such as clicking a link. The attacker does not need WordPress credentials.
Researcher notes
Sources identify CWE-79 and point to vulnerable code locations plus a WordPress Trac changeset. The provided affected metadata is inconsistent, listing default unaffected while the description says versions up to 2.8.2. Validate against vendor or WordPress plugin release data before closing exposure.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites using the Loco Translate plugin.
- Identify any installations at version 2.8.2 or earlier.
- Check WordPress plugin and vendor guidance for the fixed release.
- Apply the vendor-supported update when available.
- Limit administrator browsing exposure and reinforce phishing-resistant practices.
Validation and detection
- Confirm installed Loco Translate versions across managed WordPress sites.
- Review whether the WordPress plugin repository shows a release after 2.8.2.
- Verify the referenced changeset is included in deployed plugin code.
- Check web logs for suspicious requests involving update_href.
- Confirm security controls alert on reflected script patterns without testing exploit payloads.
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-79: User-session and phishing behavior lookup
Client-side and session-facing weaknesses should be reviewed alongside initial-access and user-execution behaviors. 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 lookupCVE-2026-4146 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
- Medium
- CVSS
- 6.1 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
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:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N2.82.7Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
6.1MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/faa6c744-7586-47ee-b2ce-af972ee8b4f7?source=cveCVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/loco-translate/tags/2.8.2/tpl/admin/config/version.php#L17CVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/loco-translate/tags/2.8.2/src/mvc/View.php#L259CVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3482475/loco-translateCVE 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 Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.