Better Messages reflects attacker-controlled icn input into browser script
Through 2.15.22, unauthenticated attackers can craft a request using the icn parameter that reflects insufficiently sanitized and escaped input into a response. A victim must follow the crafted link for script execution in the site's origin. The export does not disclose the route, handler or precise output context.
- Component
- Better Messages – Chat Rooms, Group Chat, Private Messages & AI Chat Bots
- Plugin slug
bp-better-messages- Affected
- <= 2.15.22
- Safe version
- See mitigation notes
- Published
- Sep 16, 2026
This CVE was published Sep 16, 2026 and is one of 19 known issues for this plugin.
Update, patch or deactivate.
This archive could not verify a fixed version from the official author release notes reviewed on 2026-10-13. Disable the affected feature or component where practical until remediation for the deployed configuration is established. Use context-appropriate escaping for icn and restrict it to the expected data format. Disable the affected feature or the plugin until the vendor confirms a fixed release; do not treat a newer version alone as confirmed remediation. Official author release notes: https://www.better-messages.com/changelog/.
No confirmed safe version is listed. Consider a vendor-supported patch or temporarily restricting the affected functionality while you assess the risk.
Deactivate only when warranted by your risk profile, or when advised by your hosting provider in the limited circumstances where the vulnerability cannot otherwise be mitigated. If you’re unsure which action is appropriate, contact Fused or your hosting provider for guidance.
Technical description
The Better Messages – Chat Rooms, Group Chat, Private Messages & AI Chat Bots plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the 'icn' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 2.15.22 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
CVE / CNA vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N