Authenticated code execution via executable plugin upload
Published May 16, 2026 · Updated May 16, 2026
Remote code execution in Textpattern CMS 4.9.0-dev allows remote authenticated users to execute PHP via a crafted plugin upload. The plugin_upload action accepts a .php file in the theplugin field and writes it beneath the web-accessible textpattern/tmp directory without blocking executable content. An account with access to the Plugins panel can obtain the request token and place a web shell whose commands run with the web server's privileges.
Summary
What happened
Remote code execution in Textpattern CMS 4.9.0-dev allows remote authenticated users to execute PHP via a crafted plugin upload. The plugin_upload action accepts a .php file in the theplugin field and writes it beneath the web-accessible textpattern/tmp directory without blocking executable content. An account with access to the Plugins panel can obtain the request token and place a web shell whose commands run with the web server's privileges.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2021-47976
- Published
- May 16, 2026
- Updated
- May 16, 2026
- Vendor
- Textpattern
- Product
- Textpattern CMS
- Classifications
- CWE-352, T1190, T1505.003
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- May 16, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- May 16, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=4.9.0-dev
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- TextPattern CMS 4.9.0-dev authenticated RCE exploitfunctional · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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