CVE-2026-4004: The Task Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary shortcode execution via the 'search' AJAX action in all versions up to, and including...

Description

The Task Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary shortcode execution via the 'search' AJAX action in all versions up to, and including, 3.0.2. This is due to missing capability checks in the callback_search() function and insufficient input validation that allows shortcode syntax (square brackets) to pass through sanitize_text_field() and be concatenated into a do_shortcode() call. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to execute arbitrary shortcodes on the site by injecting shortcode syntax into parameters like 'task_id', 'point_id', 'categories_id', or 'term'.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

6.5/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N

EPSS Probability

0.25%

16.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-94

References

Timeline

Published: Mar 21, 2026
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Deferred

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-4004?

The Task Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary shortcode execution via the 'search' AJAX action in all versions up to, and including, 3.0.2. This is due to missing capability checks in the callback_search() function and insufficient input validation that allows shortcode syntax (square brackets) to pass through sanitize_text_field() and be concatenated into a do_shortcode() call. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to execute arbitrary shortcodes on the site by injecting shortcode syntax into parameters like 'task_id', 'point_id', 'categories_id', or 'term'.

How severe is CVE-2026-4004?

CVE-2026-4004 has a CVSS score of 6.5/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.25% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2026-4004?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.