CVE-2026-0561: CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') in paultgoodchild Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users, and Prevents Security Breaches
The Shield Security plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the 'message' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 21.0.8 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-0561 is a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability in the Shield Security WordPress plugin by paultgoodchild. The issue exists in all versions up to 21.0.8 due to improper neutralization of input in the 'message' parameter, allowing injection of arbitrary web scripts. This vulnerability can be triggered by unauthenticated attackers who can convince users to perform actions such as clicking malicious links, resulting in script execution within the context of the affected site.
Potential Impact
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to limited confidentiality and integrity impacts by enabling script injection in users' browsers. This may allow attackers to perform actions such as session hijacking or content manipulation within the user's session. There is no impact on availability reported. No known active exploitation has been documented.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, users should exercise caution with untrusted links and consider disabling or restricting the use of the 'message' parameter if possible. Monitor the vendor's communications for updates regarding patches or official mitigations.
CVE-2026-0561: CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') in paultgoodchild Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users, and Prevents Security Breaches
Description
The Shield Security plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the 'message' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 21.0.8 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
CVSS v3.1
Score 6.1medium
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-0561 is a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability in the Shield Security WordPress plugin by paultgoodchild. The issue exists in all versions up to 21.0.8 due to improper neutralization of input in the 'message' parameter, allowing injection of arbitrary web scripts. This vulnerability can be triggered by unauthenticated attackers who can convince users to perform actions such as clicking malicious links, resulting in script execution within the context of the affected site.
Potential Impact
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to limited confidentiality and integrity impacts by enabling script injection in users' browsers. This may allow attackers to perform actions such as session hijacking or content manipulation within the user's session. There is no impact on availability reported. No known active exploitation has been documented.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, users should exercise caution with untrusted links and consider disabling or restricting the use of the 'message' parameter if possible. Monitor the vendor's communications for updates regarding patches or official mitigations.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Wordfence
- Date Reserved
- 2026-01-01T22:13:21.759Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 699697f56aea4a407a3be0d0
Added to database: 2/19/2026, 4:56:21 AM
Last enriched: 4/9/2026, 11:08:11 AM
Last updated: 6/10/2026, 4:12:47 AM
Views: 74
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