CVE-2026-17153: CWE-862 Missing Authorization in siteground AI Agent by SiteGround
The AI Agent by SiteGround WordPress plugin up to version 1.2.7 contains an authorization bypass vulnerability. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to upload images to the WordPress media library by circumventing the usual upload_files capability restriction. The vulnerability arises because the plugin does not properly verify user authorization, relying solely on a nonce that is accessible to users with block editor access, including Contributors. This enables attackers with Contributor-level access or unauthenticated attackers to exploit the upload endpoint without proper permission checks.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-17153 is an authorization bypass vulnerability (CWE-862) in the AI Agent by SiteGround WordPress plugin affecting all versions up to and including 1.2.7. The plugin fails to properly verify that a user is authorized to perform image uploads, allowing unauthenticated attackers to upload images to the WordPress media library. The endpoint requires a nonce (sg_ai_studio_gutenberg_nonce) that is exposed to any user with block editor access, including Contributors, but the plugin omits the necessary upload_files capability check. This missing authorization check enables bypass of normal upload restrictions.
Potential Impact
An attacker can upload images to the WordPress media library without proper authorization, bypassing the upload_files capability restriction. This could lead to unauthorized content being added to the site, potentially facilitating further attacks or content abuse. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or availability directly but allows unauthorized integrity modification (image uploads).
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, restrict block editor access to trusted users only, as the nonce required for exploitation is available to any user with block editor permissions. Monitor for updates from SiteGround regarding an official fix.
CVE-2026-17153: CWE-862 Missing Authorization in siteground AI Agent by SiteGround
Description
The AI Agent by SiteGround WordPress plugin up to version 1.2.7 contains an authorization bypass vulnerability. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to upload images to the WordPress media library by circumventing the usual upload_files capability restriction. The vulnerability arises because the plugin does not properly verify user authorization, relying solely on a nonce that is accessible to users with block editor access, including Contributors. This enables attackers with Contributor-level access or unauthenticated attackers to exploit the upload endpoint without proper permission checks.
CVSS v3.1
Score 5.3medium
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-17153 is an authorization bypass vulnerability (CWE-862) in the AI Agent by SiteGround WordPress plugin affecting all versions up to and including 1.2.7. The plugin fails to properly verify that a user is authorized to perform image uploads, allowing unauthenticated attackers to upload images to the WordPress media library. The endpoint requires a nonce (sg_ai_studio_gutenberg_nonce) that is exposed to any user with block editor access, including Contributors, but the plugin omits the necessary upload_files capability check. This missing authorization check enables bypass of normal upload restrictions.
Potential Impact
An attacker can upload images to the WordPress media library without proper authorization, bypassing the upload_files capability restriction. This could lead to unauthorized content being added to the site, potentially facilitating further attacks or content abuse. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or availability directly but allows unauthorized integrity modification (image uploads).
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, restrict block editor access to trusted users only, as the nonce required for exploitation is available to any user with block editor permissions. Monitor for updates from SiteGround regarding an official fix.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Wordfence
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T17:36:50.811Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a8692a3acd9273b492a0371
Added to database: 08/20/2026, 05:37:39 UTC
Last enriched: 08/20/2026, 05:53:38 UTC
Last updated: 08/20/2026, 06:04:21 UTC
Views: 4
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