# CVE-2026-109686: Link Whisper Free PHP object injection vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-109686-deserialization-of-untrusted-data-vulnerability-in-link-whisper  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-15. Updated: 2026-10-16  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-109686 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-10-15

Link Whisper Free is a WordPress plugin that generates internal links between content on a website. A PHP object injection vulnerability in versions up to 0.9.7 allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level access to execute arbitrary code on the web server. An attacker could take over the website, steal sensitive data, or deploy malware.

Technologies: [Link Whisper INC Link Whisper Free](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/link-whisper-inc-link-whisper-free). Vendors: [Link Whisper INC](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/link-whisper-inc).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-109686 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-109686 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-109686?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 15 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Link Whisper INC Link Whisper Free through 0.9.7.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-109686?** Yes: fixed in 0.9.8. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-109686 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a web application.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-109686?** Check whether you run Link Whisper INC Link Whisper Free at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- Fixed in 0.9.8

## Technical details

The vulnerability is a PHP object injection (deserialization of untrusted data) in Link Whisper Free versions ≤0.9.7. It requires authentication as a contributor or higher privilege level. An attacker can manipulate serialized PHP objects to trigger unintended code execution on the server through the plugin's unsafe handling of unserialized data.

## Affected products

- Link Whisper INC Link Whisper Free through 0.9.7

## Timeline

- 2026-10-15: disclosed
- 2026-10-13: patched

## References

- [https://wordpress.org/plugins](https://wordpress.org/plugins)
- [https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/link-whisper/vulnerability/wordpress-link-whisper-free-plugin-0-9-7-php-object-injection-vulnerability?_s_id=cve](https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/link-whisper/vulnerability/wordpress-link-whisper-free-plugin-0-9-7-php-object-injection-vulnerability?_s_id=cve)

## Related threats

- [Link Whisper Free SQL injection](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-109688-improper-neutralization-of-special-elements-used-in-an-sql)
- [Link Whisper Free reflected cross-site scripting](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-109685-improper-neutralization-of-input-during-web-page-generation)
- [Link Whisper Free SQL injection vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-109687-improper-neutralization-of-special-elements-used-in-an-sql)