CVE-2026-74008 Overview
CVE-2026-74008 is an unauthenticated sensitive data exposure vulnerability in the Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme WordPress plugin (also known as auxin-elements). The flaw affects versions 2.17.22 and earlier. Remote attackers can access sensitive information without authentication over the network.
The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-201: Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data]. Successful exploitation exposes confidential data but does not affect integrity or availability of the WordPress instance.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can retrieve sensitive information from vulnerable WordPress sites running the Phlox theme plugin auxin-elements at version 2.17.22 or earlier.
Affected Products
- WordPress plugin Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme (auxin-elements) versions <= 2.17.22
- WordPress sites using the Phlox theme with the affected plugin bundled
- Any WordPress deployment that installed the plugin from the official repository prior to the patched release
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-08-18 - CVE-2026-74008 published to NVD
- 2026-08-20 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-74008
Vulnerability Analysis
The auxin-elements plugin extends the Phlox WordPress theme with shortcodes and additional features. Versions up to 2.17.22 expose sensitive data to unauthenticated network requests. Attackers reach the vulnerable code path without credentials or user interaction.
The issue maps to [CWE-201], where the application inserts sensitive information into data sent to an unauthorized actor. The confidentiality impact is limited to partial disclosure, and the flaw does not allow attackers to modify data or disrupt service.
The EPSS score is 0.24%, placing this vulnerability in the 15th percentile for likelihood of exploitation. No public proof-of-concept or in-the-wild exploitation has been reported at the time of publication.
Root Cause
The plugin exposes an endpoint or output path that returns sensitive information without enforcing an authentication check. Detailed vendor documentation of the specific parameter or function has not been published in the NVD entry. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for advisory-level detail.
Attack Vector
An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to a WordPress site running the vulnerable plugin. The request requires no authentication, no privileges, and no user interaction. The server returns sensitive data that should have been restricted to authorized users.
No verified exploit code is publicly available. The vulnerability manifests through the plugin's request handling routines, which fail to gate access before emitting sensitive content in the response. See the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for advisory details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-74008
Indicators of Compromise
- Unauthenticated HTTP requests to auxin-elements plugin endpoints under /wp-content/plugins/auxin-elements/ returning non-empty response bodies
- Anomalous outbound responses from WordPress admin-ajax or REST endpoints associated with the plugin without a valid session cookie
- Web server access logs showing repeated requests from a single IP scanning plugin-specific paths
Detection Strategies
- Inventory WordPress installations and identify sites running auxin-elements version 2.17.22 or earlier using wp plugin list or equivalent management tooling
- Deploy web application firewall rules that log and alert on unauthenticated access to plugin-specific endpoints
- Correlate WordPress access logs with threat intelligence feeds for Patchstack-tracked plugin CVEs
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging on the WordPress reverse proxy or WAF for all requests to /wp-content/plugins/auxin-elements/
- Monitor for large or unusual response payloads from plugin endpoints to unauthenticated clients
- Set alerts on repeated 200-status responses to unauthenticated requests targeting known-vulnerable plugin paths
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-74008
Immediate Actions Required
- Update auxin-elements to a version newer than 2.17.22 as soon as the vendor publishes a fix, tracked in the Patchstack Vulnerability Report
- Restrict public access to plugin endpoints behind a WAF or reverse proxy until the plugin is patched
- Audit WordPress access logs for signs of prior data exposure from unauthenticated requests
Patch Information
The Patchstack Vulnerability Report tracks patched versions and vendor advisories. Site administrators should apply the vendor-supplied update targeting versions above 2.17.22 when released.
Workarounds
- Deactivate the auxin-elements plugin until a patched release is available if the affected functionality is not business-critical
- Add WAF rules blocking unauthenticated requests to the specific plugin endpoints identified in the Patchstack advisory
- Enforce IP allowlisting on the WordPress admin surface to reduce the exposed attack surface
# Configuration example: check plugin version via WP-CLI
wp plugin get auxin-elements --field=version
# Deactivate the plugin as a temporary workaround
wp plugin deactivate auxin-elements
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
