# CVE-2026-92243: Ivory Search WordPress Search Plugin reflected XSS via search parameter

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-92243-the-ivory-search-wordpress-search-plugin-plugin-for-wordpress-is  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-03. Updated: 2026-10-05  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-92243 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.1 · Published 2026-10-03

The Ivory Search WordPress Search Plugin is vulnerable to reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) through the search parameter, allowing unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts into search pages. When a user visits an infected page with the search terms highlighted, their browser executes the attacker's code, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting to phishing sites, or stealing sensitive information. The attack requires the site administrator to have enabled the "Highlight Search Terms" feature and the malicious search query must return at least one result.

Vendors: [Automattic](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/automattic).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-92243 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-92243 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-92243?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.1, published 3 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Automattic Ivory Search – WordPress Search Plugin up to 5.5.18.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-92243?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-92243 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-92243?** Check whether you run Automattic Ivory Search – WordPress Search Plugin 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.

## Technical details

The plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape the 's' search parameter before outputting it to the page, enabling reflected XSS. An unauthenticated attacker can craft a malicious URL with JavaScript in the search parameter that executes in the victim's browser. Successful exploitation requires two preconditions: the "Highlight Search Terms" option must be enabled by an administrator, and the search query must return at least one post result to trigger the vulnerable code path.

## Affected products

- Automattic Ivory Search – WordPress Search Plugin up to 5.5.18

## Timeline

- 2026-10-03: disclosed

## References

- [https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/add-search-to-menu/tags/5.5.18/public/class-is-public.php](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/add-search-to-menu/tags/5.5.18/public/class-is-public.php)
- [https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/add-search-to-menu/tags/5.5.18/public/class-is-public.php](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/add-search-to-menu/tags/5.5.18/public/class-is-public.php)