CVE-2026-1838: CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') in prasunsen Hostel
The Hostel plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the 'shortcode_id' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 1.1.6 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-1838 is a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability in the WordPress Hostel plugin by prasunsen. It affects all versions up to 1.1.6 due to improper neutralization of input in the 'shortcode_id' parameter. An attacker can craft malicious links that, when clicked by a user, execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the vulnerable site. The vulnerability is unauthenticated and has a medium severity rating with a CVSS score of 6.1. No vendor-provided patch or official remediation level is documented, and no known exploits have been reported.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the affected website, potentially leading to information disclosure or user session manipulation. The impact is limited to confidentiality and integrity with no direct availability impact. The vulnerability requires user interaction (clicking a crafted link) and affects all users who visit the vulnerable pages.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, administrators should consider disabling or removing the Hostel plugin if feasible. Additionally, applying web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block malicious input targeting the 'shortcode_id' parameter may help mitigate exploitation risks. Monitor official prasunsen or WordPress security advisories for updates.
CVE-2026-1838: CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') in prasunsen Hostel
Description
The Hostel plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the 'shortcode_id' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 1.1.6 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
CVSS v3.1
Score 6.1medium
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-1838 is a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability in the WordPress Hostel plugin by prasunsen. It affects all versions up to 1.1.6 due to improper neutralization of input in the 'shortcode_id' parameter. An attacker can craft malicious links that, when clicked by a user, execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the vulnerable site. The vulnerability is unauthenticated and has a medium severity rating with a CVSS score of 6.1. No vendor-provided patch or official remediation level is documented, and no known exploits have been reported.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the affected website, potentially leading to information disclosure or user session manipulation. The impact is limited to confidentiality and integrity with no direct availability impact. The vulnerability requires user interaction (clicking a crafted link) and affects all users who visit the vulnerable pages.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, administrators should consider disabling or removing the Hostel plugin if feasible. Additionally, applying web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block malicious input targeting the 'shortcode_id' parameter may help mitigate exploitation risks. Monitor official prasunsen or WordPress security advisories for updates.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Wordfence
- Date Reserved
- 2026-02-03T16:31:20.729Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 69e2e080bdfbbecc59c7239c
Added to database: 4/18/2026, 1:38:08 AM
Last enriched: 4/25/2026, 2:58:21 AM
Last updated: 6/1/2026, 7:45:39 PM
Views: 81
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