CVE-2026-16974Network attack vector

Contributor-level stored XSS via post_meta shortcode

Published Aug 11, 2026 · Updated Aug 11, 2026

Stored XSS in Kirki 6.2.0 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to inject scripts through the post_meta shortcode. The shortcode insufficiently sanitizes stored post metadata and emits it into generated page output without context-appropriate escaping. Contributor-level access is sufficient, and the script runs in each visitor's browser when an injected page is opened.

CVSS severity6.4
Medium
EPSS probability0.15%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Stored XSS in Kirki 6.2.0 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to inject scripts through the post_meta shortcode. The shortcode insufficiently sanitizes stored post metadata and emits it into generated page output without context-appropriate escaping. Contributor-level access is sufficient, and the script runs in each visitor's browser when an injected page is opened.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-16974
Published
Aug 11, 2026
Updated
Aug 11, 2026
Vendor
Themeum
Product
Kirki
Classifications
CWE-79, T1059.007
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 11, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 11, 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=0 <=6.2.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Themeum · Kirkiversion=0 <=6.2.0

Published CVSS scores

6.4WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/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.

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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-79Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
T1059.007JavaScript/JScript

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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