CVE-2026-19598
CriticalExploitedThe 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
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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
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry KEV feed | Aug 15, 2026 | n/a | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Aug 22, 2026 | n/a | Not 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| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| podswordpress-plugin | >= 2.8 | 2.8.23.4 |
| Pods – Custom Content Types and Fields | >= 2.8 | n/a |
Patched Releases
pods
2.8.23.4
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Aug 15, 2026
Added to Industry KEV feed
Aug 15, 2026
Last updated
Aug 20, 2026
Added to CIRCL KEV
Aug 22, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-863 Incorrect Authorization
References
- advisoryhttps://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/profile-builder/tags/3.16.4/features/functions.php#L1481
- advisoryhttps://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/profile-builder/tags/3.16.4/front-end/class-formbuilder.php#L262
- advisoryhttps://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/profile-builder/tags/3.16.4/front-end/class-formbuilder.php#L364
- advisoryhttps://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/profile-builder/tags/3.16.4/front-end/class-formbuilder.php#L742
- advisoryhttps://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/profile-builder/tags/3.16.4/front-end/class-formbuilder.php#L945
FAQ
Common Questions.
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.
Affected: pods (wordpress-plugin) versions >= 2.8; Pods – Custom Content Types and Fields versions >= 2.8. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV since Aug 15, 2026.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
No public exploit code is known.
Fixed versions are available, including pods 2.8.23.4.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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