CVE-2026-1565 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type) affecting the WordPress plugin 'User Frontend: AI Powered Frontend Posting, User Directory, Profile, Membership & User Registration' developed by wedevs. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of uploaded file types in the functions 'WPUF_Admin_Settings::check_filetype_and_ext' and 'Admin_Tools::check_filetype_and_ext'. This flaw allows authenticated users with Author-level access or higher to bypass file type restrictions and upload arbitrary files, including potentially malicious scripts, to the web server hosting the WordPress site. Because these files can be executed by the server, an attacker can achieve remote code execution (RCE), compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. The vulnerability affects all plugin versions up to 4.2.8. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, privileges required (Author-level), no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no known public exploits are reported yet, the severity and ease of exploitation make this a critical risk for sites using this plugin. The vulnerability was reserved on January 28, 2026, and published on February 26, 2026. No official patches have been linked yet, so mitigation currently relies on access control and monitoring.

The impact of CVE-2026-1565 is significant for organizations running WordPress sites with the affected wedevs plugin. Successful exploitation allows attackers with Author-level privileges to upload arbitrary files, potentially leading to remote code execution. This can result in full system compromise, data theft, defacement, or use of the server as a pivot point for further attacks. Confidentiality is at risk due to unauthorized data access; integrity is compromised by the ability to alter or inject malicious content; availability may be affected if the attacker disrupts services or deploys ransomware. Since WordPress is widely used globally, and this plugin supports critical user functions such as membership and profile management, the vulnerability poses a high risk to websites relying on these features. Attackers could leverage compromised sites for phishing, malware distribution, or lateral movement within organizational networks. The requirement for Author-level access limits exploitation to users with some trust or access, but many WordPress sites grant such roles to contributors or external users, increasing risk. The lack of public exploits currently provides a small window for remediation before widespread attacks emerge.

1. Immediately restrict Author-level and higher privileges to trusted users only, reviewing all user roles and permissions to minimize risk exposure. 2. Monitor and audit file uploads closely, especially for suspicious file types or unexpected uploads. 3. Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block malicious file upload attempts targeting this plugin. 4. Disable or remove the affected plugin if it is not essential to reduce attack surface until a patch is released. 5. Keep WordPress core and all plugins updated; apply the official patch from wedevs as soon as it becomes available. 6. Employ server-side security controls such as disabling execution permissions in upload directories to prevent execution of uploaded files. 7. Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to identify anomalous activities indicative of exploitation. 8. Educate site administrators and users about the risks of granting elevated privileges and the importance of secure file handling. 9. Regularly back up website data and configurations to enable recovery in case of compromise. 10. Consider implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users with elevated privileges to reduce risk of credential compromise.