Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability in Contact Form 7 Captcha Plugin for WordPress
CVE-2026-85117

6.5MEDIUM

Key Information:

Vendor

WordPress
Status
Contact Form 7 Captcha
Vendor
CVE Published:
9 September 2026

Badges

👾 Exploit Exists🟡 Public PoC

What is CVE-2026-85117?

The Contact Form 7 Captcha plugin for WordPress contains a vulnerability that allows unauthenticated users to exploit the shortcode parser functionality. Specifically, earlier versions of the plugin, prior to 0.1.9, process the entire Contact Form 7 form’s output, which includes user-submitted data. This flaw permits attackers to execute arbitrary shortcodes that have been registered on the website, posing a significant security risk to the integrity and functionality of the site.

Affected Version(s)

Contact Form 7 Captcha 0.1.7 < 0.1.9

Exploit Proof of Concept (PoC)

PoC code is written by security researchers to demonstrate the vulnerability can be exploited. PoC code is also a key component for weaponization which could lead to ransomware.

CVE-2026-85117 - Proof of Concept

References

https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/e791e4a6-5ec1-49c7-9448-...
exploitvdb-entrytechnical-description

CVSS V3.1

Score:
6.5
Severity:
MEDIUM
Confidentiality:
Low
Integrity:
Low
Availability:
Low
Attack Vector:
Network
Attack Complexity:
Low
Privileges Required:
None
User Interaction:
None
Scope:
Unchanged

Timeline

  • 🟡

    Public PoC available

  • 👾

    Exploit known to exist

  • Vulnerability published

  • Vulnerability Reserved

Credit

Jakub Herman
WPScan
.