📄 Description (English)
The The Advanced Custom Fields: Extended plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary shortcode execution in all versions up to, and including, 0.9.2.3. This is due to the software allowing users to execute an action that does not properly validate a value before running do_shortcode. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary shortcodes.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
The Advanced Custom Fields: Extended WordPress plugin (versions ≤0.9.2.3) contains an arbitrary shortcode execution vulnerability allowing unauthenticated attackers to execute malicious shortcodes. This CWE-94 code injection flaw poses significant risk to WordPress-based government portals, e-commerce platforms, and organizational websites prevalent in Saudi Arabia. No patch is currently available, requiring immediate compensating controls.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 15, 2026 03:20
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
High risk for Saudi government entities using WordPress for citizen portals and NCSA-regulated websites. E-commerce platforms and financial services websites utilizing this plugin face data exfiltration and credential theft risks. Healthcare organizations (MOH) and educational institutions hosting WordPress sites are vulnerable to patient/student data compromise. Telecom sector (STC, Mobily) customer-facing portals may be compromised. The vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious content, redirect users to phishing sites, or establish persistent backdoors on critical Saudi digital infrastructure.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Government & Public Administration
Banking & Financial Services
E-commerce & Retail
Healthcare
Telecommunications
Education
Energy & Utilities
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
7.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Disable the Advanced Custom Fields: Extended plugin immediately across all WordPress installations
2. Audit WordPress access logs for suspicious shortcode execution patterns (look for do_shortcode calls with unusual parameters)
3. Scan website content for injected shortcodes or malicious code
4. Review user accounts for unauthorized access or privilege escalation
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Monitor plugin repository for security updates (currently no patch available)
2. Consider alternative ACF plugins with better security track records
3. If plugin functionality is critical, implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block shortcode injection attempts
COMPENSATING CONTROLS:
1. Deploy WAF rules blocking requests containing suspicious shortcode patterns: [[\ and do_shortcode variations
2. Implement strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to prevent inline script execution
3. Enable WordPress security plugins (Wordfence, Sucuri) with real-time malware scanning
4. Restrict plugin execution to authenticated users only via .htaccess or nginx configuration
5. Implement file integrity monitoring on wp-content/plugins directory
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor for POST/GET requests containing shortcode syntax: [[\ patterns
2. Alert on do_shortcode function calls in error logs
3. Track modifications to wp_options table for injected shortcodes
4. Monitor for unusual outbound connections from WordPress process
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تعطيل مكون Advanced Custom Fields: Extended فوراً عبر جميع تثبيتات WordPress
2. تدقيق سجلات الوصول للبحث عن أنماط تنفيذ shortcode مريبة
3. فحص محتوى الموقع للبحث عن shortcodes مُدرجة أو أكواد ضارة
4. مراجعة حسابات المستخدمين للكشف عن الوصول غير المصرح به
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. مراقبة مستودع المكونات للتحديثات الأمنية
2. النظر في بدائل ACF بسجلات أمان أفضل
3. إذا كانت وظيفة المكون حرجة، تطبيق قواعد جدار الحماية (WAF)
الضوابط التعويضية:
1. نشر قواعد WAF لحظر طلبات shortcode المريبة
2. تطبيق رؤوس Content Security Policy (CSP) صارمة
3. تفعيل مكونات أمان WordPress (Wordfence, Sucuri)
4. تقييد تنفيذ المكونات للمستخدمين المصرح لهم فقط
5. تطبيق مراقبة سلامة الملفات على دليل wp-content/plugins
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة الطلبات التي تحتوي على بناء جملة shortcode
2. التنبيه على استدعاءات do_shortcode في السجلات
3. تتبع التعديلات على جدول wp_options
4. مراقبة الاتصالات الخارجية غير العادية
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.5.1.1 - Information security policies and procedures
A.5.2.1 - User access management and authentication
A.5.3.1 - Cryptography and data protection
A.5.4.1 - Physical and environmental security
A.5.5.1 - Access control and authorization
A.5.6.1 - Cryptography key management
A.5.7.1 - System and communications protection
🔵 SAMA CSF
Governance & Risk Management - GRM-01: Information Security Governance
Governance & Risk Management - GRM-02: Risk Assessment and Management
Protection & Resilience - PR-01: Access Control
Protection & Resilience - PR-02: Data Protection
Detection & Response - DR-01: Security Monitoring and Incident Detection
Detection & Response - DR-02: Incident Response and Management
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.5.1 - Policies for information security
A.5.2 - Information security roles and responsibilities
A.6.1 - Internal organization
A.6.2 - Mobile device and teleworking
A.7.1 - Prior to public access
A.8.1 - User endpoint devices
A.8.2 - Privileged access rights
A.8.3 - Information access restriction
A.12.2 - Restrictions on software installation
A.12.6 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
Requirement 1 - Install and maintain a firewall configuration
Requirement 6 - Develop and maintain secure systems and applications
Requirement 6.2 - Ensure all system components are protected from known vulnerabilities
Requirement 11 - Regularly test security systems and processes
🔗 References & Sources 3
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https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/acf-extended/tags/0.9.2.2/includes/modules/f...
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/acf-extended/tags/0.9.2.2/includes/modules/f...
security@wordfence.com
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/f8544784-1994-47e2-be39-568d0...
security@wordfence.com