CVE-2026-2020
Published: 07 March 2026
Summary
CVE-2026-2020 is a high-severity Deserialization of Untrusted Data (CWE-502) vulnerability in Wordpress (inferred from references). Its CVSS base score is 7.5 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked at the 26.8th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 CM-7 (Least Functionality) and SI-10 (Information Input Validation).
Deeper analysis
CVE-2026-2020 is a PHP Object Injection vulnerability (CWE-502) affecting the JS Archive List plugin for WordPress in all versions up to and including 6.1.7. The issue arises from the deserialization of untrusted input supplied via the 'included' parameter of the plugin's shortcode, enabling authenticated attackers to inject a PHP Object. The vulnerability carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) and was published on 2026-03-07.
Authenticated attackers with Contributor-level access or higher can exploit this vulnerability by supplying malicious input through the 'included' shortcode attribute. While no known Proof-of-Concept (POP) chain exists within the vulnerable plugin itself, the presence of a POP chain via an additional plugin or theme on the target system could allow attackers to delete arbitrary files, retrieve sensitive data, or execute arbitrary code.
References provided include code excerpts from the plugin's tagged 6.1.7 release and trunk versions, specifically lines in class-jq-archive-list-widget.php and class-js-archive-list-settings.php, highlighting the deserialization points, along with a changeset link that may indicate related updates. No explicit mitigation or patch details are detailed in the available information.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2026-10098
Vulnerability details
The JS Archive List plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in all versions up to, and including, 6.1.7 via the 'included' shortcode attribute. This is due to the deserialization of untrusted input supplied via the 'included' parameter…
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of the plugin's shortcode. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to inject a PHP Object. No known POP chain is present in the vulnerable software. If a POP chain is present via an additional plugin or theme installed on the target system, it could allow the attacker to delete arbitrary files, retrieve sensitive data, or execute code.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
PHP object injection in public-facing WordPress plugin directly enables remote exploitation for code execution/file access via shortcode input.
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly mitigates PHP object injection by requiring validation and sanitization of untrusted input in the 'included' shortcode parameter before deserialization.
Ensures timely flaw remediation by patching the deserialization vulnerability in the JS Archive List plugin up to version 6.1.7.
Enforces least functionality by disabling or removing the unnecessary JS Archive List plugin and its vulnerable shortcode to eliminate the deserialization attack surface.