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CVE-2026-87902

From Exploited flaws, HARD’s guide to the flaws being used in attacks · Checked
This article is about a flaw in WordPress Core. For every flaw being used in attacks, see Exploited flaws; for WordPress’s, see WordPress flaws being used in attacks.

CVE-2026-87902 is a security flaw in WordPress Core, the software behind about four in ten websites. Attackers can run their own code on WordPress Core from anywhere, without logging in. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 25 Sep 2026.[1]

WordPress Core is in things households have, such as phones, computers, browsers and everyday apps, so the fix matters at home as much as at work. Fixed in version 7.1.2 of WordPress.

Description

CISA calls it a remote file inclusion in WordPress Core. In its words: “WordPress Core contains a remote file inclusion vulnerability which could allow an unauthenticated attacker to make page-template resolution include a chosen readable local `.php` file outside the active theme directories, leading to remote code execution.”[1]

The underlying weakness is CWE-98, in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.[2]

It scores 8.1 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it high, scored by the organisation that published the CVE using CVSS 3.1.[2]

Affected versions

NVD’s record lists one fixed version: everything before it is affected.[2]

ProductFixed in
WordPress7.1.2

Every device with WordPress Core needs the update.

Exploitation

CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 25 Sep 2026, 3 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 28 Sep 2026 to fix it.[1]

FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 96%. That’s in the top 1% of the flaws it scores.[4]

CISA assesses it as not automatable: each attack takes some work.

CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.

Fix

WordPress has published a fix or advice.[3] CISA’s required action: “Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes).”[1]

  1. Update WordPress Core now.Install the latest update from WordPress on every device that has it, and restart when asked. Then turn on automatic updates, so the next fix arrives on its own.
  2. Check you’re on 7.1.2 or later.Fixed in version 7.1.2 of WordPress. Anything older is what attackers are going after.
  3. If there’s no update, stop using it.CISA’s advice when a flaw being used in attacks has no fix is to stop using the product until it does.

Timeline

DateEvent
The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 8.1.[2]
CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks.[1]
CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1]
FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 96%.[4]

See also

Other WordPress Core flaws

Other WordPress flaws

  • CVE-2020-25213, WordPress File Manager Plugin: remote code execution ·
  • CVE-2020-11738, WordPress Snap Creek Duplicator Plugin: file download ·
  • CVE-2019-9978, WordPress Social Warfare Plugin: cross-site scripting (XSS) ·

Similar flaws

  • CVE-2025-68645, Synacor Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS): PHP remote file inclusion ·

Added the same day

  • CVE-2026-67279, MikroTik RouterOS: improper enforcement of behavioral workflow ·
  • CVE-2026-65660, Microsoft SharePoint: code injection ·

Every WordPress flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in September 2026

References

  1. ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “WordPress Core Remote File Inclusion Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 25 Sep 2026.
  2. ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2026-87902 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 22 Sep 2026.
  3. ^ WordPress. Advisories and fixes: github.com.
  4. ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.958, percentile 99.9, 31 Oct 2026.
  5. CVE Program. “CVE-2026-87902”. The official CVE record.

This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.