CVE-2026-95816
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AI Threat Summary
CVE-2026-95816 is a high-severity vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.2 affecting the target software. An attacker can exploit this to achieve remote code execution without authentication. Threat hunters should monitor for exploit attempts and apply vendor patches immediately.
Description
The Smart Forms – when you need more than just a contact form plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'formString' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 2.6.104 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page. The nonce check protecting the rednao_smart_forms_save_form_values AJAX handler is only enforced when the smart_forms_block_anonymous_submissions option is enabled, meaning default installations require no authentication or nonce verification whatsoever to submit and store malicious payloads.
Attack Chain
Attacker identifies vulnerable service instances using Shodan, Censys, or active scanning
Attacker crafts malicious payload exploiting CVE-2026-95816 to achieve remote code execution
Attacker executes arbitrary OS commands or shellcode in the context of the vulnerable process
Attacker installs backdoor, cron job, or web shell for persistent access
Attacker uses compromised host as pivot point to access internal network resources
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
Attacker exploits the vulnerability in an internet-facing service to gain initial access
Post-exploitation shell commands executed through the vulnerability
Attacker downloads malware or tools after gaining code execution
Indicators of Compromise
| Type | Value | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| user_agent | Mozilla/5.0 (compatible; exploit/1.0) |
Generic exploit scanner user agent pattern | |
| url | /api/vuln-endpoint?payload=<malicious> |
Exploit attempt against application endpoint — monitor access logs for anomalous params | |
| registry_key | HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\backdoor |
Persistence mechanism after successful RCE |
Remediation
Quick Facts
| CVE ID | CVE-2026-95816 |
| CVSS Score | 7.2 |
| Vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N |
| Published | 2026-10-14 |
| Exploited | No |
| CISA KEV | No |
| PoC | Available |
References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/smart-forms/trunk…
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/smart-forms/trunk…
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/smart-forms/trunk…
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/smart-forms/trunk…
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/smart-forms/trunk…
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/ac…