CVE-2026-24360 identifies a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in the Seriously Simple Podcasting WordPress plugin developed by Craig Hewitt. SSRF vulnerabilities occur when an attacker can manipulate a server to make HTTP requests to arbitrary URLs, potentially accessing internal or protected resources. This plugin, widely used for podcast management within WordPress sites, contains insufficient validation or sanitization of user-supplied URLs or parameters that control server-side HTTP requests. Versions up to and including 3.14.1 are affected. An attacker can exploit this flaw without authentication, sending crafted requests that cause the server to perform HTTP requests to internal services or external systems on behalf of the attacker. This can lead to reconnaissance of internal networks, bypassing firewalls, accessing metadata services in cloud environments, or exfiltrating sensitive data. Although no public exploits are currently reported, the nature of SSRF makes it a significant risk, especially in environments where internal services are accessible only from the web server. The lack of a CVSS score indicates the vulnerability is newly published and not yet fully assessed, but the technical characteristics suggest a high risk. The plugin’s popularity among WordPress users, particularly in media and podcasting sectors, increases the potential attack surface. The vulnerability was published on January 22, 2026, with no patch links currently available, emphasizing the need for immediate attention from administrators.

For European organizations, the SSRF vulnerability in Seriously Simple Podcasting can have several critical impacts. Confidentiality may be compromised if attackers leverage SSRF to access internal APIs, cloud metadata services, or sensitive backend systems, potentially exposing credentials or private data. Integrity could be affected if attackers manipulate internal services or trigger unintended actions via the SSRF vector. Availability risks arise if attackers use SSRF to perform denial-of-service attacks on internal resources or the hosting server itself. Media companies, podcast producers, and content platforms using this plugin are particularly at risk, as exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to internal networks or data leakage. Given the plugin’s integration with WordPress, a widely used CMS in Europe, the scope of affected systems is substantial. The ease of exploitation without authentication and no user interaction required further elevates the threat level. This vulnerability could also facilitate lateral movement within compromised networks, increasing the overall risk posture for affected organizations.

Immediate mitigation steps include monitoring and restricting outbound HTTP requests from web servers hosting Seriously Simple Podcasting to prevent unauthorized SSRF exploitation. Network-level controls such as egress filtering and web application firewalls (WAFs) should be configured to block suspicious or unexpected internal requests. Administrators should audit plugin usage and disable Seriously Simple Podcasting if not essential until a vendor patch is released. Employing strict input validation and sanitization on any user-supplied URLs or parameters related to the plugin can reduce risk. Additionally, isolating WordPress instances in segmented network zones limits potential internal network exposure. Organizations should stay alert for vendor updates or patches and apply them promptly once available. Logging and alerting on unusual outbound requests from the web server can help detect exploitation attempts early. Finally, conducting internal vulnerability scans and penetration tests focusing on SSRF vectors will improve detection and remediation readiness.