CVE-2026-27041: Unlimited Elements File Upload Vulnerability

CVE-2026-27041 Overview

CVE-2026-27041 is an arbitrary file upload vulnerability affecting the Unlimited Elements for Elementor (Premium) WordPress plugin in versions up to and including 2.0.6. The flaw allows an authenticated user with Contributor-level privileges to upload arbitrary files to the web server. Because the plugin fails to validate uploaded file types, attackers can place executable PHP files inside the WordPress site directory and trigger remote code execution. The weakness is categorized under [CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type].

Critical Impact
A Contributor account can be used to upload a web shell, achieve remote code execution on the host, and pivot to full site or server compromise.

Affected Products

Unlimited Elements for Elementor (Premium) WordPress plugin versions <= 2.0.6
WordPress sites that allow Contributor-level registration or have compromised Contributor accounts
Hosting environments running the affected plugin alongside Elementor

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-17 - CVE-2026-27041 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-27041

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in a file upload handler exposed by the Unlimited Elements for Elementor (Premium) plugin. The handler is reachable by any authenticated WordPress user holding the Contributor role or higher. The plugin accepts uploaded files without enforcing a strict allowlist of safe MIME types or file extensions. As a result, attackers can submit PHP scripts, server-side templates, or other executable content that the web server later processes.

The scope-changing nature of the issue means a low-privileged Contributor can reach assets normally restricted to administrators. Once a malicious file lands inside the wp-content/uploads directory or a plugin-controlled path, an HTTP request to that file executes attacker-supplied code under the web server user. From that foothold, attackers can install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate database credentials from wp-config.php, and tamper with site content.

Root Cause

The plugin trusts client-supplied file metadata and does not enforce server-side validation of file content, extension, and MIME type. Missing checks for dangerous extensions such as .php, .phtml, and .phar allow executable payloads to be stored within a web-accessible directory.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and requires a Contributor account, which can often be obtained through open registration, credential stuffing, or phishing. The attacker authenticates to WordPress, invokes the vulnerable upload endpoint exposed by the plugin, and submits a crafted PHP file. The attacker then requests the uploaded file directly through the browser, which causes PHP to execute the payload. No user interaction by an administrator is required. Refer to the Patchstack Plugin Vulnerability Report for additional context on the affected endpoint.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-27041

Indicators of Compromise

New PHP, .phtml, or .phar files appearing inside wp-content/uploads/ or plugin-specific upload directories
HTTP POST requests to Unlimited Elements upload endpoints originating from Contributor-level accounts
Outbound network connections from the web server process (php-fpm, apache2, nginx) to unknown hosts shortly after an upload event

Detection Strategies

Review WordPress audit logs for upload actions performed by Contributor accounts, particularly those created recently
Inspect web server access logs for direct requests to files under wp-content/uploads/ with executable extensions
Hash files in plugin and upload directories and compare against a known-good baseline to surface unauthorized additions

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on creation of files with executable extensions inside any web-writable directory using file integrity monitoring
Monitor process creation events where the web server user spawns shells, curl, wget, or python
Track Contributor and Author account creation, role changes, and password resets through WordPress administrative logs

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-27041

Immediate Actions Required

Update Unlimited Elements for Elementor (Premium) to a version newer than 2.0.6 once the vendor releases a fix
Audit existing Contributor, Author, and Editor accounts and disable any that are inactive or unverified
Search wp-content/uploads/ and plugin directories for unexpected PHP files and remove them after forensic capture

Patch Information

Apply the vendor-supplied security release referenced in the Patchstack Plugin Vulnerability Report. Confirm the installed plugin version after upgrade and revoke any sessions that existed prior to patching.

Workarounds

Disable the Unlimited Elements for Elementor (Premium) plugin until a patched version is installed
Restrict new user registration and require administrator approval for Contributor role assignments
Configure the web server to deny PHP execution within wp-content/uploads/ and other user-writable directories

bash

# Nginx: block PHP execution inside the WordPress uploads directory
location ~* /wp-content/uploads/.*\.(php|phtml|phar)$ {
    deny all;
    return 403;
}