CVE-2026-27067: Mobile App Editor RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2026-27067 Overview

CVE-2026-27067 is an Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability (CWE-434) affecting the Syarif Mobile App Editor WordPress plugin. This critical security flaw allows authenticated attackers to upload malicious files, including web shells, to a vulnerable web server. The vulnerability exists in all versions of the Mobile App Editor plugin from the initial release through version 1.3.1.

Critical Impact

Attackers with elevated privileges can upload arbitrary files including web shells, potentially leading to complete server compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent unauthorized access to the affected WordPress installation.

Affected Products

• Syarif Mobile App Editor WordPress Plugin versions through 1.3.1
• WordPress installations running the vulnerable Mobile App Editor plugin
• Web servers hosting affected WordPress sites

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-03-19 - CVE CVE-2026-27067 published to NVD
• 2026-03-19 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-27067

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from inadequate file upload validation within the Mobile App Editor plugin. The plugin fails to properly restrict the types of files that can be uploaded, allowing attackers to bypass intended security controls and upload files with dangerous extensions such as .php, .phtml, or other executable file types.

The attack requires high privileges (administrator-level access), but once successfully exploited, the impact extends beyond the vulnerable application's scope. This cross-scope impact means that a successful attack can affect resources beyond the original security context, potentially compromising the entire web server infrastructure.

The vulnerability enables attackers to upload web shells—malicious scripts that provide remote command execution capabilities—directly to the web server. Once a web shell is in place, attackers can execute arbitrary commands, access sensitive files, pivot to other systems on the network, and establish persistent backdoor access.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2026-27067 is the absence of proper file type validation and sanitization in the file upload functionality of the Mobile App Editor plugin. The plugin does not adequately verify the content type, file extension, or file contents before allowing uploads. This lack of validation allows files with executable extensions to be uploaded and subsequently accessed through the web server, enabling remote code execution.

Attack Vector

The attack is conducted over the network and requires the attacker to have high-level privileges on the target WordPress installation. Despite the privilege requirement, the low attack complexity and absence of required user interaction make this vulnerability relatively straightforward to exploit once the attacker has the necessary access level.

The typical attack flow involves:

1. The attacker authenticates to the WordPress admin panel with elevated privileges
2. The attacker navigates to the Mobile App Editor upload functionality
3. A malicious PHP file disguised or crafted as a web shell is uploaded
4. The web shell is placed in a web-accessible directory on the server
5. The attacker accesses the uploaded web shell via direct URL
6. Remote command execution is achieved, allowing full server compromise

For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-27067

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected PHP files or scripts in WordPress upload directories, particularly in the Mobile App Editor plugin folder
• Web shell signatures in uploaded files (e.g., eval(), base64_decode(), system(), passthru() functions)
• Unusual outbound network connections from the web server
• Suspicious process execution initiated by the web server user account
• Modified file timestamps in plugin directories that don't correspond to legitimate updates

Detection Strategies

• Implement file integrity monitoring (FIM) on WordPress directories to detect unauthorized file additions
• Deploy web application firewalls (WAF) with rules to detect web shell upload attempts
• Monitor web server access logs for requests to unusual PHP files in upload directories
• Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify suspicious command execution from web server processes
• Scan uploaded files against known web shell signatures and malware databases

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for WordPress file upload operations and plugin activity
• Set up alerts for new file creation events in the wp-content/plugins/mobile-app-editor/ directory
• Monitor for POST requests to plugin upload endpoints followed by GET requests to newly created PHP files
• Track process trees originating from php-fpm, apache, or nginx worker processes for anomalous child processes

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-27067

Immediate Actions Required

• Audit your WordPress installation to determine if the Mobile App Editor plugin version 1.3.1 or earlier is installed
• Disable or remove the Mobile App Editor plugin until a patched version is available
• Review upload directories for any suspicious files and remove unauthorized uploads
• Restrict administrative access and implement strong multi-factor authentication
• Review user accounts with elevated privileges and revoke unnecessary access

Patch Information

As of the last modification date (2026-03-19), users should check for available updates to the Mobile App Editor plugin. Monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for patch availability and remediation guidance from the vendor.

Workarounds

• Remove or deactivate the Mobile App Editor plugin entirely until a security patch is released
• Implement server-level file upload restrictions to prevent executable file uploads
• Configure .htaccess or web server rules to deny direct access to files in plugin upload directories
• Deploy a web application firewall with file upload inspection capabilities to block malicious file types

# Apache .htaccess configuration to prevent PHP execution in uploads
<Directory "/var/www/html/wp-content/plugins/mobile-app-editor/uploads">
    <FilesMatch "\.php$">
        Order Allow,Deny
        Deny from all
    </FilesMatch>
    php_flag engine off
</Directory>