Attackers are exploiting CVE-2026-85097, a critical unauthenticated arbitrary file upload vulnerability in the Bricksforge WordPress plugin, which is used by approximately 6,000 websites. The flaw affects versions 3.1.8.9 and earlier and can allow attackers to upload malicious files, execute PHP code and potentially take full control of vulnerable websites. Patchstack first observed exploitation attempts on October 7, 2026. Severity scores differ between reports: SecurityWeek cites a CVSS score of 9.8, while Patchstack reports 10.0.
Patchstack observed crafted upload metadata pairing an image file path with a PHP destination URL, alongside multiple extension-filter bypass variations. Two activity clusters involving distributed infrastructure or rotating proxies were consistent with automated exploitation, but the telemetry does not establish attribution to a single threat actor. Organizations should update immediately to version 3.1.8.10 or later and investigate suspicious form submissions and unexpected PHP files in upload directories. Patchstack reports deploying a traffic-layer mitigation before the first observed attack; administrators should still patch and check for evidence of compromise.

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Bricksforge version 3.1.8.10 fixes CVE-2026-85097, an unauthenticated arbitrary file-upload vulnerability affecting versions 3.1.8.9 and earlier. Successful exploitation can enable remote PHP code execution and takeover of WordPress websites.
Patchstack detailed how attackers can obtain an unauthenticated nonce, upload a GIF/PHP polyglot, and manipulate client-supplied metadata to write executable PHP files. Its analysis identified 63 source IP addresses and provided detection indicators, while cautioning that the observed activity did not establish attribution to a single threat actor.
Patchstack deployed a RapidMitigate rule to block exploitation of CVE-2026-85097 at the traffic layer. The company stated that the protection was live before its first observed attack.
Bricksforge released version 4.0.1 with a Pro Forms upload security fix, according to the vendor changelog. The changelog urges users to update even when their active forms contain no upload fields.
Patchstack first observed exploitation attempts at 21:47:17 UTC, using crafted temporaryFileUploads metadata to pair an image file path with a PHP destination URL. The subsequent observed activity included a 44-IP cluster sending 56 identical requests and a three-IP cluster testing 25 extension and encoding variations, consistent with automated exploitation through distributed infrastructure.
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