CVE-2026-120518
BuddyPress XProfile Image Field <= 3.1.0 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Deletion via Signup Image Field Activation Handler
Description
The BuddyPress XProfile Image Field plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion in all versions up to, and including, 3.1.0. This is due to bpxp_image_field_update_on_user_activation() calling unlink() on a path built from visitor-supplied signup metadata with no realpath() resolution, no containment check against the profile-image directory and no extension allow-list. Submitting a zero-byte file with the 'field_N_hidden' parameter during registration makes the plugin store the raw value, which is then resolved against the document root when the pending signup is activated. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to delete arbitrary files on the server, which can easily lead to remote code execution when the right file (such as wp-config.php) is deleted. Requires open registration and an image-type profile field on the signup form.
INFO
Published Date :
Nov. 3, 2026, 5:18 a.m.
Last Modified :
Nov. 3, 2026, 5:18 a.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
[email protected]
Affected Products
The following products are affected by CVE-2026-120518
vulnerability.
Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the
products
that
are
affected, the information is not represented in the table below.
No affected product recoded yet
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | CRITICAL | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update the BuddyPress XProfile Image Field plugin.
- Remove or disable image upload fields.
- Validate all file upload paths.
- Remove unlinked files from user input.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-120518.
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-120518 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-120518
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-120518 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-120518 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
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New CVE Received by [email protected]
Nov. 03, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description The BuddyPress XProfile Image Field plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion in all versions up to, and including, 3.1.0. This is due to bpxp_image_field_update_on_user_activation() calling unlink() on a path built from visitor-supplied signup metadata with no realpath() resolution, no containment check against the profile-image directory and no extension allow-list. Submitting a zero-byte file with the 'field_N_hidden' parameter during registration makes the plugin store the raw value, which is then resolved against the document root when the pending signup is activated. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to delete arbitrary files on the server, which can easily lead to remote code execution when the right file (such as wp-config.php) is deleted. Requires open registration and an image-type profile field on the signup form. Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H Added CWE CWE-22 Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/120xxx/CVE-2026-120518.json">CVE-2026-120518</a> Added Reference https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-48158 Added Reference https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/buddypress-xprofile-image-field/tags/3.1.0/bp-xprofile-image-field.php#L488 Added Reference https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/buddypress-xprofile-image-field/tags/3.1.0/bp-xprofile-image-field.php#L494 Added Reference https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/buddypress-xprofile-image-field/tags/3.1.0/bp-xprofile-image-field.php#L507 Added Reference https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/buddypress-xprofile-image-field/tags/3.1.0/bp-xprofile-image-field.php#L526 Added Reference https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/buddypress-xprofile-image-field/tags/3.1.0/bp-xprofile-image-field.php#L587 Added Reference https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/1a53bcf5-61ed-427c-9efd-29c9309d2426?source=cve