As a catastrophic security flaw, CVE-2026-5524 has severe implications, demanding immediate intervention.
Status: Deferred
Published on: 02 Jul 2026, 13:17 UTC
CVSS Release: version 3
security@wordfence.com
Primary
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVE-2026-5524: The Divi Form Builder plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Upload leading to Remote Code Execution in all versions up to and including 5.1.8. This is due to insufficient file extension validation in the do_image_upload() function where user-supplied input from the acceptFileTypes POST parameter is directly interpolated into a regular expression used to validate uploaded files. Attackers can specify PHP-executable extensions such as .phtml, .phar, .php5, or .php7 to bypass the plugin's .htaccess protection which only blocks .php files specifically. Additionally, on Nginx-based servers, the .htaccess protection is completely ineffective as Nginx does not process .htaccess files. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers (who can obtain a nonce from any public page containing a form) to upload executable PHP files to the publicly accessible /wp-content/uploads/de_fb_uploads/ directory and achieve Remote Code Execution by accessing the uploaded file via HTTP. The vulnerability was partially patched in version 5.1.3.
The exploitability of CVE-2026-5524 depends on two key factors: attack complexity (the level of effort required to execute an exploit) and privileges required (the access level an attacker needs).
With low attack complexity and no required privileges, CVE-2026-5524 is an easy target for cybercriminals. Organizations should prioritize immediate mitigation measures to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.
A lower complexity and fewer privilege requirements make exploitation easier. Security teams should evaluate these aspects to determine the urgency of mitigation strategies, such as patch management and access control policies.
Attack Complexity (AC) measures the difficulty in executing an exploit. A high AC means that specific conditions must be met, making an attack more challenging, while a low AC means the vulnerability can be exploited with minimal effort.
Privileges Required (PR) determine the level of system access necessary for an attack. Vulnerabilities requiring no privileges are more accessible to attackers, whereas high privilege requirements limit exploitation to authorized users with elevated access.
Above is the CVSS Sub-score Breakdown for CVE-2026-5524, illustrating how Base, Impact, and Exploitability factors combine to form the overall severity rating. A higher sub-score typically indicates a more severe or easier-to-exploit vulnerability.
Below is the Impact Analysis for CVE-2026-5524, showing how Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability might be affected if the vulnerability is exploited. Higher values usually signal greater potential damage.
Stay updated with real-time CVE vulnerabilities and take action to secure your systems. Enhance your cybersecurity posture with the latest threat intelligence and mitigation techniques. Develop the skills necessary to defend against CVEs and secure critical infrastructures. Join the top cybersecurity professionals safeguarding today's infrastructures.