# CVE-2026-1277: URL Shortify - Open Redirect

> Live exploitation tracking for CVE-2026-1277 by the CrowdSec Live Exploit Tracker, built from real-world attack data crowdsourced from CrowdSec's global network.

Page: https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2026-1277

## Key facts

- **Exploitation phase:** Background Noise. Continuous low-level scanning or exploitation attempts are observed, mostly opportunistic and automated.
- **CVSS score:** 4.7
- **Public exploit available:** Yes
- **Affected products:** Kaizencoders URL Shortify
- **Weaknesses:** CWE-601 (URL Redirection to Untrusted Site ('Open Redirect'))
- **Tags:** wordpress, cms

## Description

The URL Shortify plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Open Redirect in all versions up to, and including, 1.12.1 due to insufficient validation on the 'redirect_to' parameter in the promotional dismissal handler. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to redirect users to potentially malicious sites via a crafted link.

## CrowdSec analysis

[CVE-2026-1277](https://euvd.enisa.europa.eu/vulnerability/CVE-2026-1277) is an open redirect vulnerability in the URL Shortify plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to 1.12.1. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to craft malicious links that redirect unsuspecting users to external, potentially harmful websites, increasing the risk of phishing and social engineering attacks.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 1st of April 2026.

CrowdSec network data shows that most actors exploiting CVE-2026-1277 rely on broad, untargeted scans with minimal filtering. The activity is largely automated and opportunistic in nature.
CrowdSec data also reveals a clear uptick in attacks involving CVE-2026-1277 over the past week. Activity is above the usual baseline, suggesting growing attention from attackers. This may reflect rising awareness, recent exploit releases, or expanded targeting efforts.

Attackers exploit the open redirect by sending crafted requests to `/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php` with the `redirect_to` parameter set to an external URL, enabling redirection of users to malicious sites.

## Timeline

- 2026-02-18: CVE Published. CVE-2026-1277 is published to NVD.
- 2026-04-01: Rule Released. CrowdSec releases a rule to detect CVE-2026-1277 exploitation attempts against the CrowdSec Network.
- 2026-04-02: CrowdSec First Seen. CrowdSec observes in-the-wild exploitation of CVE-2026-1277 for the first time.

## References

- https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2026/CVE-2026-1277.yaml

## Live exploitation data

The [Live Exploit Tracker page](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2026-1277) follows observed exploitation activity for CVE-2026-1277. [Request an API key](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/request-api-key) for full access to its exploitation timeline, attacking IP addresses and blocklists.