CVE-2026-8042: CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') in octalmage Github Shortcode
CVE-2026-8042 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Github Shortcode plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 0. 1. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping of the 'repo' attribute in the 'github' shortcode. Authenticated users with Contributor-level access or higher can inject malicious scripts that execute when other users view the affected pages. The CVSS 3. 1 base score is 6. 4, indicating a medium severity vulnerability. No official patch or remediation guidance is currently available from the vendor. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The Github Shortcode WordPress plugin (octalmage) suffers from a stored XSS vulnerability due to improper neutralization of input in the 'repo' shortcode attribute. This allows authenticated contributors or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript into pages, which executes in the context of users viewing those pages. The vulnerability affects all versions up to 0.1. The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.4 reflects network attack vector, low attack complexity, and privileges required at the contributor level, with no user interaction needed and a scope change. No official patch or fix has been published yet.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an authenticated contributor or higher to inject persistent malicious scripts into WordPress pages via the 'repo' shortcode attribute. These scripts execute in the browsers of users who view the compromised pages, potentially leading to theft of user credentials, session hijacking, or other client-side attacks. The impact is limited by the requirement for contributor-level privileges to inject the payload. There is no indication of denial of service or server-side compromise.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict contributor-level access to trusted users only and consider removing or disabling the Github Shortcode plugin if possible. Monitor for plugin updates from the vendor and apply official patches promptly once released.
CVE-2026-8042: CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') in octalmage Github Shortcode
Description
CVE-2026-8042 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Github Shortcode plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 0. 1. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping of the 'repo' attribute in the 'github' shortcode. Authenticated users with Contributor-level access or higher can inject malicious scripts that execute when other users view the affected pages. The CVSS 3. 1 base score is 6. 4, indicating a medium severity vulnerability. No official patch or remediation guidance is currently available from the vendor. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
CVSS v3.1
Score 6.4medium
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The Github Shortcode WordPress plugin (octalmage) suffers from a stored XSS vulnerability due to improper neutralization of input in the 'repo' shortcode attribute. This allows authenticated contributors or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript into pages, which executes in the context of users viewing those pages. The vulnerability affects all versions up to 0.1. The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.4 reflects network attack vector, low attack complexity, and privileges required at the contributor level, with no user interaction needed and a scope change. No official patch or fix has been published yet.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an authenticated contributor or higher to inject persistent malicious scripts into WordPress pages via the 'repo' shortcode attribute. These scripts execute in the browsers of users who view the compromised pages, potentially leading to theft of user credentials, session hijacking, or other client-side attacks. The impact is limited by the requirement for contributor-level privileges to inject the payload. There is no indication of denial of service or server-side compromise.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict contributor-level access to trusted users only and consider removing or disabling the Github Shortcode plugin if possible. Monitor for plugin updates from the vendor and apply official patches promptly once released.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Wordfence
- Date Reserved
- 2026-05-06T16:19:42.426Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a16a562e29bf47b50a6430e
Added to database: 5/27/2026, 8:03:46 AM
Last enriched: 5/27/2026, 8:19:08 AM
Last updated: 5/27/2026, 9:11:41 AM
Views: 3
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