CVE-2026-16099: CWE-502 Deserialization of Untrusted Data in eteubert Podlove Podcast Publisher
The Podlove Podcast Publisher plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to insufficient file path validation in the create_link_item function in all versions up to, and including, 4.5.3. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level access and above, to delete arbitrary files on the server, which can easily lead to remote code execution when the right file is deleted (such as wp-config.php). A viable POP chain exists within the plugin itself via Podlove\ImageCache\GenerationGuard, whose __destruct() method invokes wp_delete_file() with an attacker-controlled file path populated through unserialization.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-16099 is a high severity vulnerability in the Podlove Podcast Publisher WordPress plugin (<=4.5.3) caused by insufficient validation of file paths in the create_link_item function. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level privileges can exploit unsafe deserialization in the Podlove\ImageCache\GenerationGuard class, specifically its __destruct() method, which calls wp_delete_file() on an attacker-controlled path. This allows arbitrary file deletion on the server, potentially leading to remote code execution if critical files like wp-config.php are deleted. No official patch or remediation guidance is currently available.
Potential Impact
Authenticated users with contributor-level access or higher can delete arbitrary files on the server hosting the WordPress site using the vulnerable plugin. This can lead to complete site compromise, including remote code execution, by removing critical configuration files. The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, restrict contributor-level access and above to trusted users only. Monitor for plugin updates from the vendor that address this vulnerability.
CVE-2026-16099: CWE-502 Deserialization of Untrusted Data in eteubert Podlove Podcast Publisher
Description
The Podlove Podcast Publisher plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to insufficient file path validation in the create_link_item function in all versions up to, and including, 4.5.3. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level access and above, to delete arbitrary files on the server, which can easily lead to remote code execution when the right file is deleted (such as wp-config.php). A viable POP chain exists within the plugin itself via Podlove\ImageCache\GenerationGuard, whose __destruct() method invokes wp_delete_file() with an attacker-controlled file path populated through unserialization.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.8high
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-16099 is a high severity vulnerability in the Podlove Podcast Publisher WordPress plugin (<=4.5.3) caused by insufficient validation of file paths in the create_link_item function. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level privileges can exploit unsafe deserialization in the Podlove\ImageCache\GenerationGuard class, specifically its __destruct() method, which calls wp_delete_file() on an attacker-controlled path. This allows arbitrary file deletion on the server, potentially leading to remote code execution if critical files like wp-config.php are deleted. No official patch or remediation guidance is currently available.
Potential Impact
Authenticated users with contributor-level access or higher can delete arbitrary files on the server hosting the WordPress site using the vulnerable plugin. This can lead to complete site compromise, including remote code execution, by removing critical configuration files. The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, restrict contributor-level access and above to trusted users only. Monitor for plugin updates from the vendor that address this vulnerability.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Wordfence
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-17T14:21:10.469Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a813f88bf8831d539784bcd
Added to database: 08/16/2026, 04:41:44 UTC
Last enriched: 08/23/2026, 13:28:18 UTC
Last updated: 09/08/2026, 15:14:19 UTC
Views: 68
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