CVE-2026-1320 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79, affecting the ays-pro Secure Copy Content Protection and Content Locking plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping of the 'X-Forwarded-For' HTTP header, which is commonly used to identify the originating IP address of a client connecting through a proxy or load balancer. Because the plugin fails to properly neutralize this input, an attacker can craft a malicious HTTP request with a specially crafted 'X-Forwarded-For' header containing arbitrary JavaScript code. This malicious script is then stored and rendered on pages generated by the plugin, causing the script to execute in the browsers of any users who visit those pages. Notably, the vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction, making it remotely exploitable over the network. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.2, reflecting high severity due to the ease of exploitation (network vector, low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required) and the potential impact on confidentiality and integrity, though availability is not affected. The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that exploitation affects resources beyond the vulnerable component itself, potentially impacting the entire WordPress site or user sessions. While no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability's characteristics make it a likely target for attackers aiming to steal session cookies, perform phishing, or deface websites. The vulnerability affects all versions of the plugin up to and including 4.9.8. No official patches or updates are currently linked, so mitigation relies on defensive controls and monitoring until a fix is released.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those relying on WordPress sites with the ays-pro Secure Copy Content Protection and Content Locking plugin installed. Successful exploitation can lead to theft of user credentials or session tokens, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users, defacement of web content, or distribution of malware via injected scripts. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to data breaches involving personal or sensitive information, and cause regulatory compliance issues under GDPR due to compromised user data confidentiality. E-commerce platforms, media outlets, and any customer-facing portals using this plugin are particularly vulnerable to customer trust erosion and financial losses. The fact that exploitation requires no authentication and can be performed remotely increases the attack surface. Additionally, the stored nature of the XSS means that multiple users can be affected over time, amplifying the impact. The lack of a current patch increases the urgency for organizations to implement interim mitigations. Attackers may also leverage this vulnerability as a foothold for further attacks within the network, increasing the risk of lateral movement or more severe compromises.

1. Monitor official channels of the ays-pro plugin vendor for security updates or patches and apply them immediately once available. 2. Until a patch is released, implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to sanitize or block suspicious 'X-Forwarded-For' header values containing script tags or unusual characters. 3. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict execution of unauthorized scripts on affected web pages, reducing the impact of injected scripts. 4. Conduct regular security audits and scanning of WordPress sites to detect injected scripts or anomalous content. 5. Limit exposure by restricting access to administrative and content management interfaces and monitoring logs for suspicious requests involving the 'X-Forwarded-For' header. 6. Educate site administrators about the risks of XSS and encourage prompt reporting of unusual site behavior. 7. Consider temporarily disabling or replacing the vulnerable plugin with alternative solutions that have better security track records if immediate patching is not feasible. 8. Harden WordPress installations by following best practices such as least privilege principles, regular backups, and timely updates of all components.