CVE-2026-8438

CVE-2026-8438 is a high-severity vulnerability with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-79.

Key facts

Description

The All-In-One Security (AIOS) – Security and Firewall plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting in versions up to and including 5.4.7. This is due to insufficient input sanitization in the get_rest_route() function and missing output escaping in the column_default() method of the debug log list table. When the 'Disable REST API for non-logged in users' feature (aiowps_disallow_unauthorized_rest_requests) is enabled alongside debug logging (aiowps_enable_debug), an unauthenticated attacker can embed arbitrary HTML or JavaScript in the REST request path. The path is retrieved via urldecode($_SERVER['REQUEST_URI']), which decodes URL-encoded payloads into literal HTML characters. This decoded, unsanitized value is concatenated directly into a debug log message and stored in the database. When an administrator navigates to the AIOS Dashboard Debug Logs page, the column_default() method returns the raw database value without escaping, and the parent list table echoes it directly, causing JavaScript execution in the administrator's browser session. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts that execute when an administrator views the debug log page, enabling nonce theft, privileged AJAX/REST actions, and potential full site compromise.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-8438?
The All-In-One Security (AIOS) – Security and Firewall plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting in versions up to and including 5.4.7. This is due to insufficient input sanitization in the get_rest_route() function and missing output escaping in the column_default() method of the debug log list table. When the 'Disable REST API for non-logged in users' feature (aiowps_disallow_unauthorized_rest_requests) is enabled alongside debug logging (aiowps_enable_debug), an unauthenticated attacker can embed arbitrary HTML or JavaScript in the REST request path. The path is retrieved via urldecode($_SERVER['REQUEST_URI']), which decodes URL-encoded payloads into literal HTML characters. This decoded, unsanitized value is concatenated directly into a debug log message and stored in the database. When an administrator navigates to the AIOS Dashboard Debug Logs page, the column_default() method returns the raw database value without escaping, and the parent list table echoes it directly, causing JavaScript execution in the administrator's browser session. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts that execute when an administrator views the debug log page, enabling nonce theft, privileged AJAX/REST actions, and potential full site compromise.
How severe is CVE-2026-8438?
CVE-2026-8438 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability none.
Is CVE-2026-8438 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (26th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2026-8438?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
Does CVE-2026-8438 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
Yes. CVE-2026-8438 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-34942.
When was CVE-2026-8438 published?
CVE-2026-8438 was published on 2026-06-06 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Other CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting (XSS)) vulnerabilities

Browse all CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting (XSS)) vulnerabilities →