CVE-2026-78006
CriticalExploitedThe The Events Calendar plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in all versions up to, and including, 6.17.4 via the is_safe_widget_instance function.
Published Sep 12, 2026 · Updated Sep 14, 2026 · Also known as EUVD-2026-76832, GHSA-4q25-cq4p-f83q, a0c67346-534a-4b67-a904-fa148703707a
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2026-78006 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting The Events Calendar (wordpress-plugin).
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Sep 12, 2026. No public exploit code is known.
- EPSS estimates a 1.5% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including The Events Calendar 6.17.4.1.
- 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)
1.5%
Exploited in the wild
Yes
1 catalog listing
Public exploit code
None known
Get the full CVE-2026-78006 brief as a PDF
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Description
The The Events Calendar plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in all versions up to, and including, 6.17.4 via the is_safe_widget_instance function. This is due to insufficient protection in is_safe_widget_instance, which can be bypassed because PHP fires magic methods during its pre-parse, combined with enable_rendering_widget_copied() forging a valid wp_hash integrity attribute before unserialize() is reached. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to execute code on the server. This is exploitable without authentication or approval because the plugin's V2 single-event template runs do_blocks() over buffered comment HTML, and WordPress returns a moderation-hash URL that allows an unauthenticated commenter to immediately view their own pending comment, delivering the injected block markup to the vulnerable code path before any moderation occurs. This does require comments to be enabled and visible on events.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry KEV feed | Sep 12, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| The Events Calendarwordpress-plugin | See advisory | 6.17.4.1 |
Patched Releases
The Events Calendar
6.17.4.1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Sep 12, 2026
Added to Industry KEV feed
Sep 12, 2026
Last updated
Sep 14, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-502 Deserialization of Untrusted Data
References
- advisoryhttps://patchstack.com/database
- advisoryhttps://wpscan.com/plugins/
- advisoryUSOM advisory
- advisoryhttps://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/
- advisoryhttps://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/a0c67346-534a-4b67-a904-fa148703707a?source=api-prod
FAQ
Common Questions.
The The Events Calendar plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in all versions up to, and including, 6.17.4 via the is_safe_widget_instance function.
Affected: The Events Calendar (wordpress-plugin). The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Sep 12, 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 The Events Calendar 6.17.4.1.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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