The The Events Calendar plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in all versions up to, and including, 6.17.3 via the parse_array… (CVE-2026-78159)
The The Events Calendar plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in all versions up to, and including, 6.17.3 via the parse_array function. This is due to insufficient validation of the widget 'classes' map, allowing a plain-array payload to bypass the is_safe_widget_instance() object check and reach the callable-invocation sink in Element_Classes::parse_array(). This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to execute code on the server. Exploitation requires that the targeted site has comments enabled on tribe_events posts and that at least one comment containing a crafted wp:legacy-widget block has been submitted, as the attack chain is triggered when do_blocks() processes the single-event HTML including the comment area.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-78159 affects The Events Calendar WordPress plugin up to version 6.17.3. The vulnerability is a remote code execution flaw caused by inadequate validation of the widget 'classes' map in the parse_array function. This allows attackers to bypass the is_safe_widget_instance() check by using a plain-array payload, ultimately reaching a callable-invocation sink. The attack chain is triggered when the WordPress do_blocks() function processes single-event HTML that includes the comment area containing a crafted wp:legacy-widget block. This enables unauthenticated remote code execution on the server hosting the vulnerable plugin.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the server running the vulnerable plugin. This can lead to full system compromise, data theft, or service disruption. The vulnerability requires that comments are enabled on tribe_events posts and that a malicious comment with a crafted wp:legacy-widget block is submitted, which then triggers the code execution during page rendering.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, it is recommended to disable comments on tribe_events posts to prevent the attack vector from being triggered. Monitor vendor channels for updates and apply patches promptly once released.
The The Events Calendar plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in all versions up to, and including, 6.17.3 via the parse_array… (CVE-2026-78159)
Description
The The Events Calendar plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in all versions up to, and including, 6.17.3 via the parse_array function. This is due to insufficient validation of the widget 'classes' map, allowing a plain-array payload to bypass the is_safe_widget_instance() object check and reach the callable-invocation sink in Element_Classes::parse_array(). This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to execute code on the server. Exploitation requires that the targeted site has comments enabled on tribe_events posts and that at least one comment containing a crafted wp:legacy-widget block has been submitted, as the attack chain is triggered when do_blocks() processes the single-event HTML including the comment area.
CVSS v3.1
Score 9.8critical
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-78159 affects The Events Calendar WordPress plugin up to version 6.17.3. The vulnerability is a remote code execution flaw caused by inadequate validation of the widget 'classes' map in the parse_array function. This allows attackers to bypass the is_safe_widget_instance() check by using a plain-array payload, ultimately reaching a callable-invocation sink. The attack chain is triggered when the WordPress do_blocks() function processes single-event HTML that includes the comment area containing a crafted wp:legacy-widget block. This enables unauthenticated remote code execution on the server hosting the vulnerable plugin.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the server running the vulnerable plugin. This can lead to full system compromise, data theft, or service disruption. The vulnerability requires that comments are enabled on tribe_events posts and that a malicious comment with a crafted wp:legacy-widget block is submitted, which then triggers the code execution during page rendering.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, it is recommended to disable comments on tribe_events posts to prevent the attack vector from being triggered. Monitor vendor channels for updates and apply patches promptly once released.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- GHSA-9c57-9fxg-8x9j
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.4.0
- Aliases
- ["CVE-2026-78159"]
- Database Specific Severity
- CRITICAL
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6aa5f00455bf5e2cf5ef7cdc
Added to database: 09/13/2026, 00:36:20 UTC
Last enriched: 09/13/2026, 00:39:53 UTC
Last updated: 09/13/2026, 04:01:22 UTC
Views: 7
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