CVE-2026-86596
What it is
The s2Member plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in all versions up to, and including, <= 260927 via the 'item_name' parameter parameter. This is due to insufficient sanitization in strip_php_tags_deep(), which only strips literal '<?' sequences, combined with a post-interpolation placeholder cleanup that reassembles a valid '<?php' opener after the attacker-controlled value has already been embedded in the email template. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with custom-level access and above, to execute code on the server.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
- Exploit odds
- 1.5% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.
Timeline
- ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 1.5% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 9.8 CRITICAL (CVSS).
- Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 1.5% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-94 · Code injection
- Record status
- Deferred
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 9.8
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-86596.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-86596. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/s2member/tags/260829/src/includes/classes/paypal-notify-in-subscr-or-wa-w-level.inc.php#L514
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/s2member/tags/260829/src/includes/classes/paypal-notify-in-web-accept-sp.inc.php#L104
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/s2member/tags/260829/src/includes/classes/paypal-notify-in-web-accept-sp.inc.php#L131
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/s2member/tags/260829/src/includes/classes/paypal-notify-in-web-accept-sp.inc.php#L138
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/s2member/tags/260829/src/includes/classes/paypal-notify-in.inc.php#L49
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/s2member/tags/260829/src/includes/classes/utilities.inc.php#L49
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/s2member/tags/260829/src/includes/classes/utils-strings.inc.php#L201
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3722434/s2member
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/bbe64cd3-c5ca-4867-90de-4784510a1126?source=cve