CVE-2026-0829 Scanner

The Frontend File Manager Plugin is widely used by WordPress site administrators to upload, manage, and share files directly from the frontend interface. It is particularly popular among sites requiring user-uploaded content, such as membership and collaborative sites, as it simplifies user interaction significantly. This plugin enables non-technical users to handle files without logging into the WordPress backend, thus increasing usability and efficiency. Developed for versatility, it allows customization and integration with other WordPress functionalities. However, despite its benefits, the plugin can pose security challenges if not regularly maintained or updated. The vulnerability being discussed is particularly concerning due to its potential to be exploited by unauthenticated users.

The vulnerability, an Unauthenticated Arbitrary Email Sending issue, allows malicious users to send emails through the site's contact form without authentication. It stems from the plugin's inadequate security checks and lack of proper authentication mechanisms, which hackers can exploit without difficulty. The exploit allows the sending of spam emails and unauthorized access to users' files, posing a significant threat to privacy and data integrity. Not only does this vulnerability risk external data breaches, but it can also lead to internal system abuse, affecting email functionality severely. Given its severity, it is classified as a high-risk vulnerability that requires urgent attention from webmasters using the plugin.

This vulnerability operates by targeting specific endpoints, primarily utilizing POST requests to the WordPress admin-ajax.php AJAX handler. Within this server-side handling, the function "wpfm_send_file_in_email" is invoked, vulnerable to misuse without proper authentication checks. Attackers can dynamically craft requests with arbitrary inputs, such as fake email addresses and messages, enabling them to send requests directly to the server. This issue is exacerbated by the possibility of accessing the system's email functionalities to send spam or unauthorized messages. Given the AJAX implementation's position within the WordPress ecosystem, its exploitation is a significant threat vector due to its potential reach and impact.

The potential effects of this vulnerability are wide-ranging. Once exploited, attackers can manipulate the email functionalities of the affected site to send spam messages, leading to a disruption of services or blacklisting of the website's domain on email servers. There is also the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive files uploaded via the plugin, leading to data breaches and information disclosure. Such incidents can undermine user trust and lead to reputational damage for site administrators. Additionally, the misuse of these functionalities can stress server resources, potentially impacting site performance and availability. Administrators must be proactive in mitigating this risk to maintain operational security and efficiency.

REFERENCES

• https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/e739e7d3-756a-4c93-9ca7-f7b9f9657033
• https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/57d62cea-cfb8-4421-a209-e64a015ad225/
• https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/nmedia-user-file-uploader/tags/23.5/inc/callback-functions.php#L98
• https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-0829