LearnDash LMS: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
CVE-2026-12483 is a high-severity unrestricted upload of file with dangerous type vulnerability in LearnDash LMS from StellarWP, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected LearnDash LMS versions: 5.1.5 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.65% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 52% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of LearnDash LMS you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| StellarWP | LearnDash LMS | 5.1.5 and earlier | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (wordfence.com).
Official description
The LearnDash LMS plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Unrestricted File Type Upload in versions up to and including 5.1.5. This is due to insufficient input validation in the 'learndash_fileupload_process' function, which iterates through an entire array and validates only the first file. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level access and above who are enrolled in a course with assignment uploads enabled, to upload arbitrary disallowed files, including PHP files, to the server's wp-content/uploads/learndash/assignments/ directory. The uploaded files can only be used for Remote Code Execution if default server configurations have been changed to allow for execution.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
The product allows the upload or transfer of dangerous file types that are automatically processed within its environment.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Generate a new, unique filename for an uploaded file instead of using the user-supplied filename, so that no external input is used at all.
- When the set of acceptable objects, such as filenames or URLs, is limited or known, create a mapping from a set of fixed input values (such as numeric IDs) to the actual filenames or URLs, and reject all other inputs.
- Consider storing the uploaded files outside of the web document root entirely. Then, use other mechanisms to deliver the files dynamically.
More Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerabilities (CWE-434)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in LearnDash LMS
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.4 Critical severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
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