CVE-2026-1296 identifies an Open Redirect vulnerability in the Frontend Post Submission Manager Lite plugin for WordPress, specifically in all versions up to and including 1.2.7. The root cause is insufficient validation of the 'requested_page' POST parameter within the verify_username_password function, which is responsible for handling user redirection after login or verification processes. Because the plugin does not properly sanitize or restrict this parameter, an attacker can craft a malicious POST request that causes the application to redirect users to arbitrary external URLs. This vulnerability is exploitable without authentication, but requires user interaction, such as clicking a specially crafted link or submitting a form. The consequence is that users can be redirected to phishing sites, malware distribution pages, or other malicious destinations, potentially compromising user credentials or leading to further attacks. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.1, reflecting medium severity, with attack vector being network (remote), low attack complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction needed. The scope is changed because the vulnerability affects the user’s browsing context outside the original domain. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no official patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability falls under CWE-601 (Open Redirect), a common web application security weakness that can facilitate social engineering and phishing attacks.

For European organizations, the primary impact of this vulnerability is the increased risk of phishing and social engineering attacks targeting their users or customers. Attackers can leverage the open redirect to craft URLs that appear legitimate but redirect victims to malicious sites, potentially leading to credential theft, malware infection, or fraud. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to data breaches if credentials are compromised, and cause financial losses. Since the vulnerability does not affect system availability or directly compromise backend systems, the impact is mostly on confidentiality and user trust. Organizations running WordPress sites with this plugin, especially those handling sensitive user data or financial transactions, face higher risks. The medium CVSS score indicates a moderate threat level, but the ease of exploitation and lack of required privileges make it a notable concern. Additionally, the vulnerability could be chained with other attacks to escalate impact. The absence of known exploits suggests a window for proactive mitigation before widespread abuse occurs.

Organizations should immediately identify if they are using the Frontend Post Submission Manager Lite plugin, particularly versions up to 1.2.7. Since no official patches are currently linked, temporary mitigations include disabling or removing the plugin if feasible. Alternatively, implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block requests containing suspicious or external URLs in the 'requested_page' POST parameter. Custom input validation can be added to restrict redirection targets to trusted internal URLs only. Educate users and administrators about the risks of clicking suspicious links, especially those that appear to redirect through the affected site. Monitor web server logs for unusual redirect patterns or spikes in POST requests to the vulnerable endpoint. Keep abreast of vendor updates or patches and apply them promptly once available. For long-term security, consider replacing the plugin with alternatives that follow secure coding practices and validate redirect parameters properly. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on open redirect and input validation vulnerabilities.