CVE-2026-1755 identifies a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Menu Icons by ThemeIsle plugin for WordPress, present in all versions up to and including 0.13.20. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically within the '_wp_attachment_image_alt' post meta field. This field is used to store alternative text for images but lacks sufficient input sanitization and output escaping, allowing authenticated users with Author-level or higher privileges to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. When any user accesses a page containing the injected script, the malicious payload executes in their browser context. This can lead to various attack scenarios such as session hijacking, theft of cookies, unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or defacement of the website. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4, indicating medium severity, with an attack vector over the network, low attack complexity, privileges required at the Author level, no user interaction needed, and a scope change indicating that the vulnerability affects components beyond the initially vulnerable plugin. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the risk remains significant due to the ease of exploitation by authenticated users. The plugin is widely used in WordPress environments, which are prevalent in many European organizations for content management and web presence. The lack of a patch link suggests that a fix may not yet be available, emphasizing the need for interim mitigations. The vulnerability was assigned and published by Wordfence in early February 2026.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to websites running WordPress with the Menu Icons by ThemeIsle plugin installed. Successful exploitation could compromise the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and website content, potentially leading to unauthorized actions, data theft, or reputational damage. Since the attack requires Author-level access, the threat is more relevant in environments where multiple users have elevated privileges, such as content teams or agencies managing client sites. The scope change in the CVSS vector indicates that the impact extends beyond the plugin itself, potentially affecting other components or users interacting with the compromised pages. Given the widespread use of WordPress across Europe, especially in countries with large digital economies like Germany, France, the UK, and the Netherlands, the vulnerability could affect a significant number of organizations. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits rapidly once the vulnerability is public. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is serious, it is not critical, but organizations should act promptly to mitigate risk.

1. Restrict user privileges by limiting Author-level access only to trusted personnel and regularly reviewing user roles to minimize the number of users who can exploit this vulnerability. 2. Implement strict input validation and output escaping at the application level for the '_wp_attachment_image_alt' field, if possible via custom code or security plugins, until an official patch is released. 3. Monitor WordPress logs and database entries for suspicious or unexpected content in post meta fields, particularly '_wp_attachment_image_alt', to detect potential injection attempts. 4. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting stored XSS patterns to block malicious payloads before they reach the application. 5. Keep WordPress core and all plugins updated; apply the official patch from ThemeIsle promptly once available. 6. Educate content authors and administrators about the risks of XSS and safe content handling practices. 7. Consider isolating or sandboxing user-generated content areas to limit the impact of any injected scripts. 8. Regularly back up website data to enable recovery in case of compromise.