CVE-2017-20251 WordPress Insert PHP Plugin < 3.3.1 PHP Code Injection via REST API
Unauthenticated attackers can execute arbitrary PHP code via the REST API in the Insert PHP plugin, requiring an upgrade to mitigate.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2017-20251?
CVE-2017-20251 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Themeisle Woody Code Snippets, published on 9 Jun 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
WordPress Insert PHP plugin versions before 3.3.1 contain a PHP code injection vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code by injecting malicious shortcodes through the WordPress REST API. Attackers can send POST requests to the wp-json/wp/v2/posts endpoint with crafted content containing insert_php shortcodes to include and execute remote PHP files on the server.
Weakness: CWE-94
Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-20251?
How do I fix CVE-2017-20251?
No fix has been published for CVE-2017-20251 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and never evaluate templates, expressions or code built from user input. More about Code injection.
Is CVE-2017-20251 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2017-20251 exists.
Public exploit code: 1 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-mxq7-4xcj-jccm.