WordPress security changelog
HIGH CVE-2026-81757 Deferred

Rank Math SEO permits Author-level remote code execution

Rank Math SEO through 1.0.276 exposes a code-execution path to authenticated Authors. Successful exploitation runs attacker-controlled code in the WordPress server context and can compromise site data, files and availability.

CVE / CNA score 7.2 CVSS 3.1 · audit@patchstack.com
NVD score Pending NVD has not published its own CVSS assessment.
Component
Rank Math SEO
Plugin slug
seo-by-rank-math
Affected
n/a through 1.0.276
Safe version
1.0.277
Published
Aug 28, 2026
Weakness
CWE-502 — Deserialization of Untrusted Data

This CVE was published Aug 28, 2026 and is one of 26 known issues for this plugin.

Update, patch or deactivate.

Update Rank Math SEO to 1.0.277 or later immediately, restrict Author access until updated, and investigate unexpected files, users, options and scheduled tasks if exposure is suspected.

A safe version is available, so updating to that version or later is the preferred remediation. If an immediate update is not practical, consider a targeted application patch or temporarily restricting the affected functionality.

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

Author Remote Code Execution (RCE) in Rank Math SEO <= 1.0.276 versions.

CVE / CNA vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary and upstream sources