CVE-2026-8438
Description
The All-In-One Security (AIOS) – Security and Firewall plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting in versions up to and including 5.4.7. This is due to insufficient input sanitization in the get_rest_route() function and missing output escaping in the column_default() method of the debug log list table. When the 'Disable REST API for non-logged in users' feature (aiowps_disallow_unauthorized_rest_requests) is enabled alongside debug logging (aiowps_enable_debug), an unauthenticated attacker can embed arbitrary HTML or JavaScript in the REST request path. The path is retrieved via urldecode($_SERVER['REQUEST_URI']), which decodes URL-encoded payloads into literal HTML characters. This decoded, unsanitized value is concatenated directly into a debug log message and stored in the database. When an administrator navigates to the AIOS Dashboard Debug Logs page, the column_default() method returns the raw database value without escaping, and the parent list table echoes it directly, causing JavaScript execution in the administrator's browser session. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts that execute when an administrator views the debug log page, enabling nonce theft, privileged AJAX/REST actions, and potential full site compromise.
Affected products
2- Range: <=5.4.7
- Range: <=5.4.7
Patches
1r3558989Vulnerability mechanics
Root cause
"Insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in the debug logging feature allows for stored cross-site scripting."
Attack vector
An unauthenticated attacker can craft a malicious REST request path that includes URL-encoded HTML or JavaScript. This payload is decoded via `urldecode($_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'])` and then directly embedded into a debug log message. When an administrator views the debug logs, the `column_default()` method fails to escape this unsanitized data, leading to script execution in the administrator's browser [ref_id=1].
Affected code
The vulnerability lies within the `get_rest_route()` function's handling of the request URI and the `column_default()` method of the debug log list table. Specifically, the `urldecode($_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'])` operation fails to sanitize the input, and the subsequent logging and display of this data lack proper output escaping.
What the fix does
The patch addresses the vulnerability by implementing proper output escaping in the `column_default()` method of the debug log list table. This ensures that any potentially malicious HTML or JavaScript embedded in the request path is neutralized before being displayed to administrators. By escaping the data, the plugin prevents the execution of arbitrary scripts, thereby mitigating the stored XSS risk [patch_id=4963764].
Preconditions
- configThe 'Disable REST API for non-logged in users' feature (aiowps_disallow_unauthorized_rest_requests) must be enabled.
- configDebug logging (aiowps_enable_debug) must be enabled.
- authThe attacker does not need to be authenticated.
Generated on Jun 6, 2026. Inputs: CWE entries + fix-commit diffs from this CVE's patches. Citations validated against bundle.
References
10- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall/tags/5.4.6/admin/wp-security-list-debug.phpnvd
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall/tags/5.4.6/classes/wp-security-debug-logger.phpnvd
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall/tags/5.4.6/classes/wp-security-general-init-tasks.phpnvd
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall/tags/5.4.6/classes/wp-security-utility.phpnvd
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall/trunk/admin/wp-security-list-debug.phpnvd
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall/trunk/classes/wp-security-debug-logger.phpnvd
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall/trunk/classes/wp-security-general-init-tasks.phpnvd
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall/trunk/classes/wp-security-utility.phpnvd
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3558989/nvd
- www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/d2b7ed73-a654-40ef-8d80-6171393da8e7nvd
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