CVE-2026-18322Active Exploitation

MEDIUMCVSS 8.8 · HIGH

Exploitation ongoing with high activity in latest observed window (1 mentions)

Immediate actions

  • Patch affected systems immediately
  • Assume compromise if assets are exposed
  • Hunt for exploitation attempts and persistence artifacts
  • Increase monitoring for publicly documented tradecraft

Recommended action window: Immediate (within 24h)

NVD description

The Smart Popup by Supsystic plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in all versions up to, and including, 1.12.0. This is due to a permission map collision in the `havePermissions()` function in `classes/frame.php`, where `array_merge()` overwrites the popup module's administrator-restricted method list with the base controller's value, silently removing `save` from protected actions; this is compounded by the subscription confirmation email embedding the same generic `pps_nonce` that the unauthenticated `wp_ajax_nopriv_save` endpoint accepts, and by the complete absence of any server-side role allowlist in `createWpSubscriber()`. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to submit a crafted POST request to `admin-ajax.php` using a nonce obtained from a public subscription confirmation email, setting `params[tpl][sub_wp_create_user_role]` to `administrator` via the exposed `popupControllerPps::save()` action, and then triggering the stored confirmation flow to create a persistent WordPress Administrator account with attacker-chosen credentials.

5.5/ 10 priority

Sources & remediation

Weakness type (CWE)
CWE-269

Priority

MEDIUM

Exploitation

ACTIVE

PoC

YES

Patch

AVAILABLE

Momentum

STABLE

Threat summary

  • Active exploitation appears in 2 classified signals
  • Public PoC is present in monitored signal
  • Patch or workaround signal is available
  • 4 mentions across 4 observed days

What's happening

  • Active exploitation reported across 2 signals
  • PoC mentioned or linked in 1 signal
  • Patch or workaround mentioned in 2 signals
  • Technical details provided in 1 signal
  • Peaked 3d ago at 1 mentions (2026-08-05); latest day: 1
  • 4 total mentions across 4 days

Deep dive

Activity timeline4 mentions / 4d
00111Mentions · 2026-08-05: 1Mentions · 2026-08-17: 1Mentions · 2026-09-24: 1Mentions · 2026-09-25: 1PoC Mentioned / Linked · 2026-09-24: 1Active Exploitation · 2026-08-17: 1Active Exploitation · 2026-09-25: 1Patch / Workaround · 2026-08-05: 1Patch / Workaround · 2026-09-25: 1Technical Details · 2026-08-05: 108-0508-1709-2409-25
Signal classification3 categories
Active Exploitation
250.0%
Patch
125.0%
PoC
125.0%
Referenced assets2 URLs
Classification over time
DateTotalLabels
2026-08-051
Patch1
2026-08-171
Active Exploitation1
2026-09-241
PoC1
2026-09-251
Active Exploitation1
Full discourse4 posts
  • PJ@Npj8448
    Active Exploitation

    🚨 Bitget confirms a $351.6M theft linked to Lazarus Group, while active exploitation hits WordPress via CVE-2026-18322. Meanwhile, a new Telegram-driven stealer dubbed TWEAKOS surfaces targeting credentials. Patch and monitor endpoints now. #CTI #CVE https://pranithjain.qzz.io/threatintel/telegram?tab=firehose

    Post summary

    The text reports active exploitation of CVE-2026-18322 targeting WordPress and urges patching and endpoint monitoring, but provides no technical vulnerability details or named exploit tools.

    0000072
    79 followersView on X
  • Peter Gabaldon@PedroGabaldon
    PoC

    https://github.com/I3IT/CVE-2026-18322

    Post summary

    The text provides only a GitHub repository link for CVE‑2026‑18322, suggesting a Proof of Concept (PoC) may be available.

    00000150
    615 followersView on X
  • Peter Gabaldon@PedroGabaldon
    Active Exploitation

    Today I had to face a server compromise starting with a WordPress site affected by CVE-2026-18322. I have been analyzing the vuln and writing an exploit with the help of Claude in a time record. Details coming soon. LLMs are changing the game so fast. #exploit #cybersecurity https://t.co/tcZjtElfSH

    Post summary

    The tweet reports a server compromise due to CVE-2026-18322 and indicates the vulnerability is actively exploited, while the author is working on creating an exploit.

    00000138
    601 followersView on X
  • ADK Cyber@ADKCyber
    Patch

    WordPress Smart Popup plugin (up to 1.12.0) has privilege escalation vulnerability (CVE-2026-18322, CVSS 8.8). Affected sites should update. via NVD Recent High CVSS #CyberSecurity #InfoSec #Vulnerability https://t.co/2VEszo4avC

    Post summary

    The tweet announces a privilege escalation vulnerability (CVE‑2026‑18322) in WordPress Smart Popup plugin and urges affected sites to apply the available patch.

    0000059
    90 followersView on X

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