Subscriber shortcode execution via profile fields
Published Aug 16, 2026 · Updated Aug 16, 2026
Code injection in ProfilePress before 4.17.0 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary shortcodes via profile fields. The [profile-display-name format="first_last_names"] path, the [profile-bio] path, and the [[tag]] escape sequence let attacker-controlled first name, last name, or bio text bypass strip_shortcodes and reach an outer do_shortcode call. Subscriber-level access is sufficient, and impact depends on which shortcodes are installed and exposed on the affected WordPress site.
Summary
What happened
Code injection in ProfilePress before 4.17.0 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary shortcodes via profile fields. The [profile-display-name format="first_last_names"] path, the [profile-bio] path, and the [[tag]] escape sequence let attacker-controlled first name, last name, or bio text bypass strip_shortcodes and reach an outer do_shortcode call. Subscriber-level access is sufficient, and impact depends on which shortcodes are installed and exposed on the affected WordPress site.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-18385
- Published
- Aug 16, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 16, 2026
- Vendor
- ProfilePress Membership Team
- Product
- ProfilePress
- Classifications
- CWE-94, T1190
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 16, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 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=0 <=4.16.19
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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