Code Engine <= 0.3.5 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Remote Code Execution
Strategic Overview
- Status
- Patched in 0.3.6
- Affected Version
<= 0.3.5- CVSS
- 8.8High
- Weakness type
- CWE-77 · Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
- CVE
CVE-2025-6784
At a glance
CVE-2025-6784 is a high-severity Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') vulnerability in the Code Engine WordPress plugin, affecting versions <= 0.3.5. It carries a CVSS score of 8.8 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity; high confidentiality, integrity, availability impact). Exploitation requires an authenticated account at Contributor level or above. The issue is fixed in version 0.3.6; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed July 2026, reported by Jonas Benjamin Friedli.
Vulnerability Overview
The Code Engine plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in all versions up to, and including, 0.3.5 via the 'code-engine' shortcode. This is due to the plugin not restricting access to the code injecting functionality of the plugin. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to execute code on the server.
Technical Analysis
The vector marks this flaw as remotely reachable over the network, with low attack complexity — no special timing or configuration is needed, and no interaction from a victim user. A successful exploit has high impact on confidentiality, integrity, availability — full site compromise territory.
CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.
Remediation
Update to version 0.3.6, or a newer patched version
How does WordSec protect against this?
An attacker needs Contributor access first, so the firewall sees the attempt as traffic from a logged-in account: WordSec's web application firewall inspects request payloads before WordPress loads them. Classes like this one can leave something behind, so the staged malware scanner is the second half: it looks for dropped files and modified code rather than for the request that created them. None of that substitutes for the fix: Code Engine 0.3.6 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.
- Firewall
- Scanner
- Alerts
External References
Related records
Other vulnerabilities in Code Engine – PHP Snippets, AI Functions & Automation for WordPress
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