CVE-2025-26924 Overview
CVE-2025-26924 is a code injection vulnerability affecting the Colabrio Ohio Extra WordPress plugin (ohio-extra) in versions up to and including 3.4.7. The flaw stems from improper control of code generation through the plugin's shortcode handling, classified under [CWE-94]. Remote attackers can exploit the issue over the network without authentication or user interaction. Successful exploitation permits limited impact to confidentiality and integrity of the affected WordPress site. Site operators running the plugin should treat this issue as an active risk to their content management environment.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated network-based code injection through shortcode processing in the Ohio Extra plugin can compromise WordPress site integrity and expose limited sensitive data.
Affected Products
- Colabrio Ohio Extra plugin (ohio-extra) versions up to and including 3.4.7
- WordPress installations bundling the vulnerable plugin release
- Sites using Ohio theme deployments that depend on the Ohio Extra companion plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-03-15 - CVE-2025-26924 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-26924
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the shortcode processing logic of the Ohio Extra plugin. The plugin fails to properly control the generation of code when handling shortcode inputs, allowing attacker-controlled data to influence executed code paths. This class of flaw ([CWE-94]) permits injection of executable directives that the WordPress interpreter processes at rendering time.
Because the attack vector is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction, any remote actor able to reach a vulnerable site can attempt exploitation. The scope remains unchanged, and impact is limited to confidentiality and integrity of the WordPress instance. Availability is not affected.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient validation and sanitization of shortcode attributes or content before those values are incorporated into dynamically generated code. When user-supplied input reaches a code generation or evaluation sink without proper filtering, an attacker can inject syntax that the plugin then executes as legitimate logic.
Attack Vector
An attacker crafts a request containing a malicious shortcode payload that reaches the plugin's rendering pipeline. Because the flaw does not require privileges or user interaction, exploitation can occur through any endpoint where the plugin processes shortcode content. The Patchstack advisory documents the shortcode injection nature of the flaw. See the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for additional technical detail.
// No verified public exploit code is available for CVE-2025-26924.
// Refer to the Patchstack advisory for technical specifics.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-26924
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected shortcode strings appearing in HTTP request bodies, query parameters, or POST fields targeting WordPress endpoints
- Anomalous WordPress plugin activity or newly created posts, options, or transients containing shortcode payloads
- Outbound network connections from the WordPress host to unfamiliar domains following shortcode processing
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for requests containing suspicious shortcode syntax directed at pages that render Ohio Extra content
- Enable WordPress debug logging and monitor for PHP warnings or errors originating from the ohio-extra plugin during shortcode evaluation
- Compare installed plugin file hashes against known clean releases to detect tampering after suspected exploitation
Monitoring Recommendations
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules targeting WordPress shortcode injection patterns
- Monitor file integrity on wp-content/plugins/ohio-extra/ and adjacent theme directories for unauthorized modification
- Alert on new administrative user creation, option table changes, and unexpected outbound traffic from the WordPress host
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-26924
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress installations running the Ohio Extra plugin version 3.4.7 or earlier
- Restrict public access to affected sites until a patched release is applied, using WAF rules or IP allowlists where feasible
- Audit WordPress user accounts, scheduled tasks, and plugin files for signs of prior exploitation
Patch Information
The vendor advisory tracked through Patchstack identifies versions through 3.4.7 as vulnerable. Administrators should upgrade to a fixed release published by Colabrio as soon as one is available. Consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the current patched version reference.
Workarounds
- Disable the Ohio Extra plugin until a patched version is installed if business impact permits
- Deploy virtual patching through a WAF to block requests containing shortcode payloads targeting the plugin
- Limit unauthenticated access to pages that render Ohio Extra shortcodes using authentication or network controls
# Temporarily disable the plugin via WP-CLI until a patch is applied
wp plugin deactivate ohio-extra
# Verify current plugin version
wp plugin get ohio-extra --field=version
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
