CVE-2026-102291: CWE-74 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection') in themeum Kirki – Freeform Page Builder, Website Builder & Customizer
Description
The Kirki – Freeform Page Builder, Website Builder & Customizer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary shortcode execution in all versions up to, and including, 6.3.1 This is due to the plugin substituting a user's `display_name` into the composed page markup unfiltered and then running the whole result through `do_shortcode()` in `TheFrontend::replace_content()`. Because `display_name` is writable by any user on their own account through the core profile form, this makes it possible for authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access and above to execute arbitrary shortcodes. Where the page is a users collection — an ordinary team or member-directory page — the shortcode runs in the request of every visitor, including unauthenticated ones. Requires a published page with a Kirki element whose dynamic content is bound to the `display_name` user field.
CVSS v3.1
Score 5.4medium
Affected software
themeum
Kirki – Freeform Page Builder, Website Builder & Customizer
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-102291 is an injection vulnerability (CWE-74) in the Kirki – Freeform Page Builder, Website Builder & Customizer WordPress plugin. The flaw arises from unfiltered insertion of the user's display_name into page markup, which is then processed by do_shortcode() in TheFrontend::replace_content(). Since display_name can be modified by any authenticated user on their profile, this enables arbitrary shortcode execution by users with Subscriber-level privileges or higher. Pages that dynamically bind content to display_name expose this risk to all visitors, including unauthenticated users. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 6.3.1.
Potential Impact
An authenticated attacker with Subscriber-level access or higher can execute arbitrary shortcodes on pages that use Kirki elements bound to the display_name user field. This can lead to unauthorized content execution affecting all visitors to such pages, including unauthenticated users. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4 (medium severity), reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and limited confidentiality and integrity impact without availability impact.
Mitigation Recommendations
No official patch or fix is currently documented. Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, restrict or monitor user input for display_name fields and avoid using Kirki elements bound to display_name for dynamic content on publicly accessible pages.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Wordfence
- Date Reserved
- 2026-09-28T20:34:15.636Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6ac9f1732cdf04f656158822
Added to database: 10/10/2026, 08:04:03 UTC
Last enriched: 10/10/2026, 08:19:06 UTC
Last updated: 10/10/2026, 21:26:58 UTC
Views: 15
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