CVE-2026-96562 Broken Link Checker <= 2.4.14.1 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary Shortcode Execution via parser_callback
Unauthenticated attackers can execute arbitrary shortcodes via comment payloads, potentially leading to code execution on WordPress sites using the Broken Link Checker plugin.
- 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-2026-96562?
CVE-2026-96562 is a medium-severity code injection vulnerability in wpmudev Broken Link Checker, published on 16 Oct 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
The The Broken Link Checker plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary shortcode execution in all versions up to, and including, 2.4.14.1. This is due to the software allowing users to execute an action that does not properly validate a value before running do_shortcode. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary shortcodes. Exploitation requires that a submitted comment containing the shortcode payload in an href or src attribute is approved through the site's normal comment moderation workflow; once approved, the shortcode is executed automatically via WP-Cron without any further attacker interaction.
Weakness: CWE-94
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-96562?
How do I fix CVE-2026-96562?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-96562 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-2026-96562 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-96562 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-fj49-q4jm-g898.