CVE-2026-24995 identifies a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the Latest Post Shortcode plugin by Iulia Cazan, affecting all versions up to and including 14.2.0. This vulnerability arises from improperly configured access control mechanisms within the shortcode functionality, allowing unauthorized users to exploit the plugin to access or manipulate content that should be protected. The root cause is an absence or failure of authorization checks when the shortcode is invoked, which can lead to privilege escalation or unauthorized data exposure. Although the specific technical exploit details are not provided, the nature of missing authorization typically means that any user, including unauthenticated visitors, might trigger the shortcode to retrieve or display posts or content that should be restricted. This can compromise confidentiality and integrity of the website content. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond accessing the shortcode functionality, and no authentication is needed, increasing the risk of exploitation. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and no patches or known exploits are currently documented. The plugin is commonly used in WordPress environments for displaying recent posts via shortcode, making it a relevant concern for websites relying on this functionality for content management and presentation.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for entities relying on WordPress websites that utilize the Latest Post Shortcode plugin for content display. Unauthorized access to restricted posts or content could lead to leakage of sensitive or confidential information, damaging organizational reputation and potentially violating data protection regulations such as GDPR. Integrity of published content could also be compromised if attackers manipulate shortcode outputs or inject unauthorized content. Although availability impact is less direct, exploitation could facilitate further attacks that degrade website functionality or user trust. Organizations in sectors such as media, government, education, and e-commerce, which frequently use WordPress and shortcode plugins, may face increased risk. The absence of authentication requirements and the ease of exploitation increase the threat level, making it critical for affected organizations to act promptly. Failure to mitigate could result in regulatory penalties and loss of customer trust.

Organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify usage of the Latest Post Shortcode plugin, particularly versions up to 14.2.0. Until an official patch is released, administrators should restrict access to pages or posts using the shortcode by implementing strict role-based access controls and limiting shortcode execution to trusted user roles only. Employing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block suspicious shortcode invocation patterns can provide interim protection. Monitoring web server logs for unusual access patterns related to shortcode usage is recommended. Additionally, organizations should prepare for rapid deployment of patches once available from the vendor or community. Reviewing and hardening WordPress security configurations, including disabling unused shortcodes and plugins, will reduce attack surface. Educating content managers about the risks of shortcode misuse and enforcing secure content publishing workflows are also important. Finally, organizations should consider isolating critical content behind stronger authentication mechanisms beyond shortcode controls.