CVE-2026-5231 WP Statistics <= 14.16.4 - Unauthenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting via 'utm_source' Parameter
Unauthenticated attackers can inject scripts via the utm_source parameter, executing code in admin pages to potentially compromise administrator accounts.
- 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-2026-5231?
CVE-2026-5231 is a high-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in veronalabs WP Statistics – Simple, privacy-friendly Google Analytics alternative, published on 17 Apr 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
The WP Statistics plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'utm_source' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 14.16.4. This is due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. The plugin's referral parser copies the raw utm_source value into the source_name field when a wildcard channel domain matches, and the chart renderer later inserts this value into legend markup via innerHTML without escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in admin pages that will execute whenever an administrator accesses the Referrals Overview or Social Media analytics pages.
Weakness: CWE-79
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-5231?
How do I fix CVE-2026-5231?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-5231 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Escape output for the context it lands in and set a strict Content Security Policy. Upgrading the affected component is the real fix. More about Cross-site scripting.
Is CVE-2026-5231 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-5231 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-58f8-jw5x-898x.