CVE-2026-0831 is an arbitrary file write vulnerability classified under CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization) found in the Templately plugin for WordPress, which provides a large library of Elementor and Gutenberg templates. The vulnerability exists in the save_template_to_file() function, where user-supplied parameters—specifically session_id, content_id, and ai_page_ids—are used unsafely to construct file paths without proper sanitization or validation. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to write arbitrary .ai.json files anywhere within the uploads directory of the WordPress installation. Because the uploads directory is typically web-accessible, attackers could potentially upload malicious files that might be leveraged for further attacks such as cross-site scripting (XSS), persistent malware, or even remote code execution if combined with other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations. The vulnerability affects all plugin versions up to and including 3.4.8. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.3 (medium severity), reflecting network exploitability without authentication or user interaction, with impact limited to integrity (no confidentiality or availability impact). No patches or exploits are currently publicly available, but the risk remains significant due to the plugin’s popularity and the ease of exploitation. The vulnerability highlights a failure in authorization and input validation controls, which are critical for secure file handling in web applications.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the integrity of their WordPress-based websites. Attackers could inject arbitrary files that might be used to host malicious scripts, deface websites, or facilitate further exploitation such as privilege escalation or data tampering. While direct data confidentiality or availability impacts are not indicated, the ability to write files arbitrarily can undermine trust, damage brand reputation, and lead to compliance issues under regulations like GDPR if personal data is affected indirectly. Organizations with high-traffic websites, e-commerce platforms, or those handling sensitive customer data are particularly vulnerable. The ease of exploitation without authentication increases the threat level, especially for organizations that do not regularly update or audit their WordPress plugins. Additionally, the uploads directory is often less restricted, making containment more difficult. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests a window of opportunity for proactive mitigation before attackers weaponize this vulnerability.

1. Monitor the vendor’s announcements closely and apply official patches immediately once available. 2. Until a patch is released, implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable parameters (session_id, content_id, ai_page_ids) attempting to write files. 3. Restrict write permissions on the uploads directory to the minimum necessary, and consider isolating or sandboxing this directory to prevent execution of uploaded files. 4. Employ input validation and sanitization at the web server or proxy level to reject requests containing suspicious path traversal or unusual characters in the relevant parameters. 5. Conduct regular security audits of WordPress plugins and remove or replace plugins that are no longer maintained or have known vulnerabilities. 6. Implement monitoring and alerting for unexpected file creation or modification events within the uploads directory. 7. Educate site administrators on the risks of installing plugins from untrusted sources and the importance of timely updates.