CVE-2026-27759 is an authenticated Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability identified in the WordPress plugin 'Featured Image from Content' developed by Dhrumil Kumbhani. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to 1.7 and allows users with Author-level privileges to exploit insecure URL fetching mechanisms within the plugin. Specifically, the plugin improperly validates URLs used to fetch images or content, enabling an attacker to craft requests that target internal HTTP resources not normally accessible externally. Additionally, the plugin's file write operations allow the attacker to store retrieved internal data into web-accessible upload directories, potentially exposing sensitive internal information to unauthorized users. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-918 (Server-Side Request Forgery) and has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 5.3, indicating medium severity. The attack vector is network-based, requires low attack complexity, and no user interaction, but does require privileges equivalent to an Author role in WordPress. The impact includes limited integrity and confidentiality loss due to unauthorized internal resource access and data exposure. No patches or mitigations have been officially released as of the publication date, and no known exploits have been observed in the wild. The vulnerability highlights the risk of insufficient input validation and improper handling of internal resource requests in web applications, especially plugins that interact with external and internal URLs.

The exploitation of this SSRF vulnerability can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive internal data within an organization's network, as attackers can access internal HTTP resources that are typically protected from external access. By writing retrieved data into web-accessible upload directories, attackers may expose confidential information to external parties, potentially leading to data breaches. This can compromise the confidentiality of internal systems, reveal sensitive configuration or credential files, and facilitate further attacks such as lateral movement or privilege escalation. Organizations relying on the affected WordPress plugin face risks of internal network reconnaissance and data leakage. Although the vulnerability requires authenticated Author-level access, many WordPress sites allow multiple users with such privileges, increasing the attack surface. The absence of known public exploits reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity score and potential for sensitive data exposure warrant prompt attention. The impact is particularly significant for organizations hosting sensitive or regulated data on WordPress sites using this plugin.

1. Immediately restrict Author-level user privileges to trusted personnel only, minimizing the number of users who can exploit this vulnerability. 2. Monitor WordPress user activity logs for unusual URL fetch requests or file uploads originating from Author accounts. 3. Disable or uninstall the 'Featured Image from Content' plugin until an official patch or update is released. 4. Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious SSRF patterns, especially requests targeting internal IP ranges or localhost addresses. 5. Harden the web server and upload directories by restricting direct access to uploaded files, using .htaccess rules or equivalent configurations to prevent unauthorized file access. 6. Conduct internal network segmentation to limit the exposure of sensitive internal HTTP services to the web server. 7. Once available, promptly apply vendor patches or updates addressing this vulnerability. 8. Educate WordPress administrators and content authors about the risks of SSRF and the importance of cautious plugin usage and privilege management.