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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2026-5411 webfactory CVE debrief

The WP Captcha PRO plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file upload in all versions up to, and including, 5.38. This is due to a capability check in the save_ajax() function of the licensing module, combined with unrestricted file extraction in sync_cloud_protection(). This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to upload arbitrary files including PHP webshells to the server by injecting a malicious cloud_protection_url into the license meta, which the plugin then downloads and extracts without file type validation into a web-accessible uploads directory. This can be used for remote code execution. Note: The vulnerability can only be exploited with a remote URL if 'allow_url_fopen' is enabled in the php.ini config.

Vendor
webfactory
Product
Advanced Google reCAPTCHA
CVSS
HIGH 8.8
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-06-05
Original CVE updated
2026-06-05
Advisory published
2026-06-05
Advisory updated
2026-06-05

Who should care

Users of WP Captcha PRO plugin for WordPress, particularly those with Subscriber-level access and above, should be aware of this vulnerability and take necessary actions to mitigate it.

Technical summary

The vulnerability exists in the WP Captcha PRO plugin for WordPress, specifically in versions up to and including 5.38. It allows authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access and above to upload arbitrary files, including PHP webshells, to the server. This is achieved by injecting a malicious cloud_protection_url into the license meta, which the plugin then downloads and extracts without file type validation into a web-accessible uploads directory.

Defensive priority

HIGH

Recommended defensive actions

  • Update WP Captcha PRO plugin to a version beyond 5.38
  • Restrict file uploads to only allow specific file types
  • Disable 'allow_url_fopen' in php.ini config if not required
  • Monitor server logs for suspicious file upload activity

Evidence notes

The vulnerability was reported by [email protected] and has a CVSS score of 8.8 with a HIGH severity rating.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-5411 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-5411

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-5411 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-5411

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.