CVE-2026-64638

HIGH NUCLEI LAB

WordPress < 7.0.3 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')

Title source: rule
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 16 public exploits for CVE-2026-64638. PoCs published by HackSpeak, 4minx, 5yu4n. A Nuclei detection template is also available.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This PoC exploits CVE-2026-64638, a pre-authentication reflected XSS in WordPress's wp-login.php due to parsing discrepancies between PHP's strip_tags() and WordPress's KSES. The exploit chains DOM clobbering, Same Origin Method Execution (SOME), and Application Password theft to achieve unauthenticated RCE via plugin upload.

Description

WordPress is vulnerable to a pre-auth reflected XSS vulnerability on the login screen. Via a specially crafted malicious third-party website hosted by an attacker, it is possible for this to be escalated to an RCE vulnerability with conditions outside of the attackers control. This requires successful social engineering of and explicit interaction by the target victim. This issue affects all versions of WordPress. Version 7.0.3 has been released, containing a fix for the vulnerability, and as a courtesy to users on older branches the fix has been backported to all branches back to 4.7. Discovered and responsibly disclosed by [the team at pwn.ai](https://pwn.ai/).

Exploits (16)

github WORKING POC 1 stars
by HackSpeak · pythonpoc
https://github.com/HackSpeak/CVE-2026-64638

This PoC exploits CVE-2026-64638, a pre-authentication reflected XSS in WordPress's wp-login.php due to parsing discrepancies between PHP's strip_tags() and WordPress's KSES. The exploit chains DOM clobbering, Same Origin Method Execution (SOME), and Application Password theft to achieve unauthenticated RCE via plugin upload.

Classification
Working Poc 98%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress versions 4.9.0 to 7.0.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim WordPress admin must open attacker-controlled URL (one-time interaction) · Target must be running a vulnerable WordPress version (4.9.0–7.0.2) · Attacker must host a malicious server (--lhost/--lport)
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Aug 08, 2026 Full analysis →
github WORKING POC 1 stars
by 4minx · htmlpoc
https://github.com/4minx/CVE-2026-64638

This PoC demonstrates a pre-authentication reflected XSS vulnerability (CVE-2026-64638) in WordPress core (versions 6.4–7.0.2) via a parser differential between `strip_tags()` and `wp_kses_post()`. The exploit auto-submits a crafted login request to trigger JavaScript execution in the WordPress origin, with potential for RCE chaining.

Classification
Working Poc 98%
Attack Type
Xss
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress 6.4–7.0.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Vulnerable WordPress installation (6.4–7.0.2, unpatched) · Target accessible via browser · JavaScript enabled in browser
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Aug 08, 2026 Full analysis →
github WORKING POC 1 stars
by 5yu4n · pythonpoc
https://github.com/5yu4n/CVE-2026-64638

This PoC demonstrates a stored XSS vulnerability in WordPress 7.0.2 via improper HTML escaping in the login username field. The exploit uses a proxy to inject malicious JavaScript that is later executed when the payload is rendered in the admin interface.

Classification
Working Poc 98%
Attack Type
Xss
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress 7.0.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must be running WordPress 7.0.2 · Attacker must trick a user into visiting a crafted HTML page or have access to submit a login request with the malicious payload
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Aug 08, 2026 Full analysis →
github WORKING POC
by Dungsocool · phppoc
https://github.com/Dungsocool/CVE-2026-64638

This repository contains a functional proof-of-concept exploit for CVE-2026-64638, a pre-authentication XSS vulnerability in WordPress that can be chained to create an administrative backdoor account. The exploit leverages unsanitized user input in the login username field and a missing `wp_kses_post` filter in admin notices to execute JavaScript in an admin's session context.

Classification
Working Poc 98%
Attack Type
Xss
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress 7.0.2 (patched to simulate vulnerability)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Attacker must trick an admin into visiting a malicious phishing page or logging in with a crafted username · Target WordPress site must have the specific sanitization bypass (simulated in the lab)
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Aug 08, 2026 Full analysis →
github WORKING POC
by mohwahyudi · pythonpoc
https://github.com/mohwahyudi/poc-CVE-2026-64638-

This repository provides a functional proof-of-concept for CVE-2026-64638, a pre-authentication XSS vulnerability in WordPress (4.7–7.0.2) that chains DOM clobbering, JSONP callback manipulation, and Same Origin Method Execution (SOME) to achieve RCE via plugin upload. The exploit leverages a parser differential in `sanitize_user()` allowing HTML elements like `< area>` to bypass sanitization while being parsed by browsers.

Classification
Working Poc 98%
Attack Type
Xss → Rce
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Racy
Target: WordPress 4.7 – 7.0.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: WordPress instance running unpatched version (4.7–7.0.2) · Admin user interaction (SOME step: single click on authorize-application.php) · Attacker-controlled server to host malicious HTML page
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Aug 08, 2026 Full analysis →
github SUSPICIOUS
by tc4dy · pythonpoc
https://github.com/tc4dy/CVE-2026-64638-PoC-Exploit

The repository claims to be a PoC for CVE-2026-64638, a WordPress pre-auth XSS to RCE chain, but the exploit.py file contains extensive C2 (Command and Control) infrastructure, privilege escalation modules, and offensive tooling unrelated to the stated vulnerability. The code is overly complex for a simple XSS PoC and includes deceptive elements like C2 beaconing and task execution.

Classification
Suspicious 95%
Attack Type
Xss
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: WordPress (unspecified version)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: WordPress site with vulnerable plugin/theme (unspecified) · Ability to trigger XSS on target
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Aug 08, 2026 Full analysis →
github WORKING POC
by yogaGymn · poc
https://github.com/yogaGymn/XSS2Shell-CVE-2026-64638

This repository provides a functional exploit for CVE-2026-64638, a pre-authentication XSS vulnerability in WordPress that can be chained to achieve RCE. The exploit includes both direct (credential-based) and XSS-based attack modes, with a callback server to capture application passwords and a plugin upload mechanism for RCE.

Classification
Working Poc 98%
Attack Type
Xss, Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress versions without the August 2026 backport fix (versions 6.5 to 6.8 likely vulnerable; 6.9.6+ patched)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: For XSS mode: Admin victim must visit a malicious trigger page · For direct mode: Valid WordPress credentials · Network access to the target WordPress instance · Callback server reachable by the victim (XSS mode)
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Aug 08, 2026 Full analysis →
github WORKING POC
by imbas007 · pythonpoc
https://github.com/imbas007/CVE-2026-64638-POC

This repository provides a full exploit chain for CVE-2026-64638, a pre-authenticated XSS vulnerability in WordPress 7.0.2 that can be escalated to RCE via Application Password creation and malicious plugin upload. The PoC includes a scanner, callback server, and multi-stage exploit demonstrating the attack path.

Classification
Working Poc 98%
Attack Type
Xss
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress 7.0.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must be running WordPress 7.0.2 or another unpatched version · Reflected XSS vector must be accessible (e.g., via login page username parameter) · For RCE: attacker must obtain admin credentials (via phishing, session hijacking, or other means) to create Application Passwords and upload plugins
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Aug 08, 2026 Full analysis →
github SCANNER
by renzi25031469 · poc
https://github.com/renzi25031469/CVE-2026-64638-WordPress-Core-XSS2Shell

This repository contains a Nuclei YAML template that detects the CVE-2026-64638 WordPress Core parser differential vulnerability, which allows pre-authenticated DOM element injection via inconsistent sanitization between `wp_strip_all_tags()` and `wp_kses_post()`. The template confirms reflection of injected HTML elements but does not exploit the full XSS→RCE chain.

Classification
Scanner 99%
Attack Type
Xss
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress Core versions prior to 7.0.3
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must be running a vulnerable version of WordPress Core (<7.0.3) · No authentication required
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Aug 08, 2026 Full analysis →
github WRITEUP
by 0xBlackash · poc
https://github.com/0xBlackash/CVE-2026-64638

CVE-2026-64638 is a pre-authentication reflected XSS vulnerability in WordPress (versions 4.7.0–7.0.2) due to improper sanitization of the username field on failed login attempts. Under specific conditions, it can be chained into RCE (dubbed XSS2Shell) if a logged-in administrator interacts with attacker-controlled content.

Classification
Writeup 98%
Attack Type
Xss
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Racy
Target: WordPress 4.7.0 through 7.0.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must be a logged-in single-site Administrator · Victim must interact with attacker-controlled content (e.g., click a link) · Target must have specific WordPress features enabled (e.g., Application Passwords, plugin upload capability)
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Aug 08, 2026 Full analysis →
github WORKING POC
by Linuxhackingid-official · pythonpoc
https://github.com/Linuxhackingid-official/XSS2Shell-CVE-2026-64638

This PoC exploits CVE-2026-64638, a pre-authentication XSS vulnerability in WordPress (versions prior to the August 2026 backport fix) that can be chained to achieve RCE. The exploit uses reflected XSS to steal application passwords, then uploads a malicious plugin to execute commands or establish a reverse shell.

Classification
Working Poc 98%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress (versions 6.5 to 6.8, or 6.9.6+ without the August 2026 backport fix)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target WordPress version must be vulnerable (unpatched) · Admin victim must visit the attacker-controlled trigger page (for XSS mode) · Attacker must have network access to the target and a callback server (for XSS mode) · Valid credentials (for direct mode)
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Aug 08, 2026 Full analysis →
github WORKING POC
by ZSecur1ty · pythonpoc
https://github.com/ZSecur1ty/XSS2Shell-CVE-2026-64638

This PoC exploits CVE-2026-64638, a pre-authentication XSS vulnerability in WordPress (versions prior to the August 2026 backport fix) that can be chained to achieve RCE. The exploit leverages a reflected XSS in the login page to steal application passwords, then uploads a malicious plugin to execute commands or establish a reverse shell.

Classification
Working Poc 98%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress (versions 6.5 to 6.8, or 6.9.6+ without the August 2026 backport fix)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must be running a vulnerable WordPress version (pre-August 2026 backport fix) · For XSS mode: An admin user must interact with the malicious link · For direct mode: Valid credentials are required · Attacker must have network access to the target and a callback server (for XSS mode)
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Aug 08, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by 686f6c61 · poc
https://github.com/686f6c61/POC-WP-XSS2Shell-CVE-2026-64638

This repository contains a functional proof-of-concept exploit for CVE-2026-64638, a stored XSS vulnerability in WordPress that chains with Application Password creation to achieve unauthenticated remote code execution (RCE). The exploit leverages a bypass in `wp_kses_post` to inject malicious JavaScript into the login error page, then uses the SOME (Same-Origin Method Execution) technique to hijack an admin session and upload a malicious plugin.

Classification
Working Poc 98%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress (versions vulnerable to CVE-2026-64638, likely pre-7.0.3)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Attacker must trick an authenticated WordPress admin into visiting a malicious page (e.g., via phishing) · Target WordPress site must have Application Passwords feature enabled (default in recent versions) · Target must be running a vulnerable version of WordPress (pre-7.0.3)
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Aug 08, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by wordsec · poc
https://github.com/wordsec/XSS2Shell

This PoC exploits CVE-2026-64638, a pre-authentication XSS vulnerability in WordPress, to capture an Application Password via social engineering (admin interaction required), then uses the stolen credentials to upload a malicious plugin containing a webshell for RCE.

Classification
Working Poc 98%
Attack Type
Xss
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress (versions vulnerable to CVE-2026-64638)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Administrator must manually visit attacker-controlled URL and approve Application Password request · Attacker-controlled server must be reachable by the victim's browser · Target WordPress must be vulnerable to CVE-2026-64638 (pre-auth XSS)
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Aug 08, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by Boreas37 · poc
https://github.com/Boreas37/CVE-2026-64638-PoC

This repository contains a functional exploit chain for CVE-2026-64638, a pre-authentication reflected XSS in WordPress's wp-login.php that can be escalated to RCE when chained against a logged-in administrator. The PoC demonstrates the full attack flow, including DOM injection, autonomous request triggering, and plugin-based webshell deployment.

Classification
Working Poc 99%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress 4.7 through 7.0.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must be running a vulnerable WordPress version (4.7-7.0.2) · For RCE: a logged-in administrator must visit the XSS trigger page · For RCE: attacker must obtain an application password via the XSS chain or supply one manually
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Aug 08, 2026 Full analysis →
github WORKING POC
by HORKimhab · pythonpoc
https://github.com/HORKimhab/CVE-2026-64638

This repository provides a functional exploit chain for CVE-2026-64638, a pre-authentication XSS vulnerability in WordPress that can lead to remote code execution (RCE) via a combination of XSS injection, application password abuse, and REST API manipulation. The exploit targets WordPress versions before 7.0.3.

Classification
Working Poc 98%
Attack Type
Xss
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress < 7.0.3
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must be running WordPress < 7.0.3 · Application password endpoint must be accessible · REST API must be enabled · Attacker-controlled server to host exploit HTML
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Aug 08, 2026 Full analysis →

Nuclei Templates (1)

WordPress Core < 7.0.3 - Preauth Reflected XSS (XSS2Shell)
HIGHVERIFIEDby FLX | Nick Vidovic (greenhats)
Shodan: http.component:"wordpress"

Scores

CVSS v4 8.9
EPSS 0.0077
EPSS Percentile 52.1%
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation none
Automatable no
Technical Impact total

Lab Environment

COMMUNITY
Community Lab
docker pull wordpress:7.0.2-php8.2-apache
docker pull wordpress:7.0.2-php8.3-apache
docker pull wordpress:cli-2.12.0-php8.3
+5 more repos

Details

CWE
CWE-79
Status published
Products (1)
WordPress/WordPress < 7.0.3
Published Aug 07, 2026
Tracked Since Aug 08, 2026