What the vulnerability does
01Description
The Yoast SEO – Advanced SEO with real-time guidance and built-in AI plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Post Slug (post_name) in all versions up to, and including, 28.0 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with author-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page. This requires pretty permalinks to be enabled, as the exploit chain depends on get_permalink() embedding the stored percent-encoded post_name in the generated URL.
Explanation of Vulnerability in Simple Terms
02Summary
Yoast SEO versions up to 28.0 contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows authenticated users with low privileges to inject malicious scripts. The vulnerability has scope change, meaning injected code can affect other users or site functionality. An attacker needs a valid WordPress account to exploit this flaw.
What an attacker can do
03Attacker Capabilities
Inject malicious JavaScript that executes in other users' browsers or affects site functionality.
Potential impact on your site
04Site Impact
Authenticated attackers can deface content, steal admin session tokens, or redirect users to malicious sites.
Conditions required to exploit
05Prerequisites
Attacker must have a low-privilege WordPress account (e.g., contributor or author role).
Key dates
06Disclosure timeline
July 25, 2026
CVE published
July 27, 2026
Record updated
