UsersWP <= 1.2.65 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) Arbitrary File Deletion via File Upload Field
The UsersWP plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Deletion in versions up to, and including, 1.2.65. This is due to insufficient validation of file-field values in the UsersWP_Validation::validate_fields() function (which falls through to sanitize_text_field() for fields of type 'file', leaving directory-traversal sequences intact) combined with the UsersWP_Forms::upload_file_remove() AJAX handler building the deletion target from the uploads basedir concatenated with the attacker-controlled metadata value without any realpath canonicalization or uploads-directory boundary check before calling unlink(). This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to delete arbitrary files on the affected site's server, including wp-config.
Quick answer
UsersWP – Front-end login form, User Registration, User Profile & Members Directory plugin for WP should be reviewed and updated if it matches the affected versions. The recommended fix is to apply the vendor-supported patched version or the mitigation steps below, then retest the public website with Fixnx.
Who is affected
Affected versions
- *-1.2.65
Fixed versions
- 1.2.66
How to fix it
UsersWP – Front-end login form, User Registration, User Profile & Members Directory plugin for WP is affected by CVE-2026-13492, a unsafe file upload issue in versions up to 1.2.65. Wordfence lists the official remediation as updating to version 1.2.66, or a newer patched version. Prioritize internet-facing WordPress sites, sites with public registration, customer portals, Elementor/page-builder surfaces, and admin workflows where the vulnerable feature is enabled. If immediate patching is not possible, disable the affected plugin or feature, restrict access, and monitor for exploitation until the update is installed.
- Inventory every WordPress site that has UsersWP – Front-end login form, User Registration, User Profile & Members Directory plugin for WP installed, including production, staging, multisite, client, and WooCommerce environments.
- Confirm the installed UsersWP – Front-end login form, User Registration, User Profile & Members Directory plugin for WP version and compare it with the affected range from the Wordfence advisory.
- Update UsersWP – Front-end login form, User Registration, User Profile & Members Directory plugin for WP to version 1.2.66, or to a newer vendor-supported patched version from the official WordPress update channel.
- If the update cannot be applied immediately, disable UsersWP – Front-end login form, User Registration, User Profile & Members Directory plugin for WP or the affected feature and restrict access with roles, authentication, WAF rules, or temporary route blocking.
- Inspect upload directories, plugin storage paths, media folders, backups, and recently modified files for unexpected scripts, deleted files, webshells, or executable content.
- Rotate administrator sessions, API keys, webhook secrets, payment or integration tokens, and affected credentials if logs or content review suggest compromise.
- Clear WordPress, object, CDN, page-builder, security plugin, and browser caches after patching so vulnerable assets or stored payloads are not served.
Scan now. Google sign-in is only needed to unlock fix guidance.
Verify the fix
- Confirm the running UsersWP – Front-end login form, User Registration, User Profile & Members Directory plugin for WP version is version 1.2.66 or newer, and record the patched version in the remediation ticket.
- Verify unsafe file types cannot be uploaded or executed from user-writable paths after the update or mitigation.
- Review web server, WordPress, security plugin, WAF, database, and application logs for exploitation attempts before and after the fix.
- Retest normal visitor, subscriber, customer, editor, administrator, checkout, form, API, booking, or integration workflows to confirm expected behavior still works.
- Run a fresh Fixnx scan and document the public exposure state, patched version, log review, and any cleanup evidence.
Related categories
Trusted references
FAQ
What is affected by CVE-2026-13492?
UsersWP – Front-end login form, User Registration, User Profile & Members Directory plugin for WP versions listed as affected should be reviewed: *-1.2.65.
What should I fix first?
Start with internet-facing sites, admin panels, login flows, plugins, themes, modules, packages, and systems that process user-controlled input or sensitive data.
How do I confirm the fix worked?
Apply the patched version or mitigation, clear caches where relevant, retest the affected workflow, and run a new Fixnx scan to verify public website exposure signals.
How are Fixnx security risk categories chosen?
Fixnx keeps one canonical risk page and assigns only broad, relevant categories such as ecosystem, technology area, or vulnerability class.