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Vulnerability Intelligence

CVE-2026-19598

CriticalExploited

The Pods – Custom Content Types and Fields plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation via Authorization Bypass in all versions up to, and including, 3.3.9.

Published Aug 15, 2026 · Updated Aug 20, 2026 · Also known as 3628032a-3121-45a7-8a78-cfcd8ba6af2f, EUVD-2026-59778, GHSA-hmmc-48gm-3645

Key Facts

Patch immediately
  • CVE-2026-19598 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting pods (wordpress-plugin), Pods – Custom Content Types and Fields.
  • It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV since Aug 15, 2026. No public exploit code is known.
  • EPSS estimates a 3.5% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
  • Fixed versions are available, including pods 2.8.23.4.
  • Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.

CVSS v3.1

9.8

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)

3.5%

Higher than 89.0% of all scored CVEs

Exploited in the wild

Yes

2 catalog listings

Public exploit code

None known

Get the full CVE-2026-19598 brief as a PDF

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Description

The Pods – Custom Content Types and Fields plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation via Authorization Bypass in all versions up to, and including, 3.3.9. The vulnerability exists because the pods_admin AJAX router funnels every access check — including the method allowlist, nonce verification, login enforcement, and capability gate — through pods_error(), which under the JSON meta-box-loader compatibility path only writes failures to the PHP error log and returns false instead of terminating the request, rendering all guards ineffective. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to escalate their privileges to Administrator or overwrite the password of any user account, including the site owner's, enabling complete site takeover, or perform another administrator action.

Known-Exploited Catalog Listings

CatalogAddedRemediation dueRansomware use
Industry KEV feedAug 15, 2026n/aNot reported
CIRCL KEVAug 22, 2026n/aNot reported

Required action: Apply remediations or mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if remediation or mitigations are unavailable.

Affected Products

3 affected entries in total
ProductAffected versionsFixed in
podswordpress-plugin>= 2.82.8.23.4
Pods – Custom Content Types and Fields>= 2.8n/a

Patched Releases

pods

2.8.23.4

Timeline

  1. Publicly disclosed

    Aug 15, 2026

  2. Added to Industry KEV feed

    Aug 15, 2026

  3. Last updated

    Aug 20, 2026

  4. Added to CIRCL KEV

    Aug 22, 2026

Weakness Type

  • CWE-863 Incorrect Authorization

References

14 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

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