CVE-2022-40696Network attack vector

Contributor data disclosure via ACF shortcode

Published Jan 8, 2024 · Updated Apr 28, 2026

Information disclosure in WP Engine Advanced Custom Fields 3.1.1 through 6.0.2 allows remote authenticated users to read ACF data. The ACF shortcode accepts a field name or key in contributor-controlled post content and renders matching field values, including options-page data, without sufficient access scoping. Exploitation requires contributor-level post editing and a site configuration that makes sensitive ACF fields reachable by shortcode.

CVSS severity3.7
Low
EPSS probability0.52%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Information disclosure in WP Engine Advanced Custom Fields 3.1.1 through 6.0.2 allows remote authenticated users to read ACF data. The ACF shortcode accepts a field name or key in contributor-controlled post content and renders matching field values, including options-page data, without sufficient access scoping. Exploitation requires contributor-level post editing and a site configuration that makes sensitive ACF fields reachable by shortcode.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-40696
Published
Jan 8, 2024
Updated
Apr 28, 2026
Vendor
WP Engine
Product
Advanced Custom Fields
Classifications
CWE-200, T1213
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 8, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 28, 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=3.1.1 <=6.0.2 changes=[{"at":"6.0.3","status":"unaffected"}]

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

WP Engine · Advanced Custom Fieldsversion=3.1.1 <=6.0.2 changes=[{"at":"6.0.3","status":"unaffected"}]

Published CVSS scores

3.7PatchstackCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
7.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-200Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor
T1213Data from Information Repositories

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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