What the vulnerability does
01Description
The PPWP – Password Protect Pages plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's `ppwp` shortcode attributes in all versions up to, and including, 1.9.21 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
Explanation of Vulnerability in Simple Terms
02Summary
PPWP – Password Protect Pages versions up to 1.9.21 contain a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability. An authenticated user with low privileges can inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of other site visitors, potentially stealing session tokens or performing actions on their behalf. The vulnerability affects the page protection mechanism and can impact multiple users across the site.
What an attacker can do
03Attacker Capabilities
Inject malicious scripts that run in other users' browsers and steal their session data or perform actions as them.
Potential impact on your site
04Site Impact
Visitors and admins may have their sessions hijacked or be tricked into performing unwanted actions; site reputation and user trust at risk.
Conditions required to exploit
05Prerequisites
Attacker must have a low-privilege authenticated account on the site; no user interaction required from victims.
Key dates
06Disclosure timeline
August 13, 2026
CVE published
August 13, 2026
Record updated
