Authenticated PHP execution via shortcode action inclusion
Published Nov 1, 2025 · Updated Nov 1, 2025
Local file inclusion in WPCOM Member 1.7.14 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute server-side PHP via a shortcode. The wpcom-member shortcode passes its user-controlled action attribute into template-selection logic that includes the resulting PHP file without an allowlist. Contributor-level access is required; arbitrary code execution additionally requires an includable PHP file on the server, such as an uploaded PHP file.
Summary
What happened
Local file inclusion in WPCOM Member 1.7.14 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute server-side PHP via a shortcode. The wpcom-member shortcode passes its user-controlled action attribute into template-selection logic that includes the resulting PHP file without an allowlist. Contributor-level access is required; arbitrary code execution additionally requires an includable PHP file on the server, such as an uploaded PHP file.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-11920
- Published
- Nov 1, 2025
- Updated
- Nov 1, 2025
- Vendor
- WPCOM
- Product
- WPCOM Member
- Classifications
- CWE-98, T1059
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Nov 1, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Nov 1, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
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- Affected versionversion=* <=1.7.14
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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