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CVE-2026-5415

Status: DeferredHigh (8.8)—

The WP Captcha PRO (the premium version of the Advanced Google reCAPTCHA plugin, both have the same slug) plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Authentication Bypass in all versions up to, and including, 5.38. This is due to the ajax_run_tool() AJAX handler relying solely on a nonce check (check_ajax_referer) for security without performing any capability check, combined with the create_temporary_link tool allowing the generation of passwordless login links for arbitrary users, and the handle_temporary_links() function authenticating visitors via these links without any additional authorization validation. The required nonce is exposed to all authenticated backend users (including Subscribers) via wp_localize_script() on all non-settings admin pages when the plugin's welcome pointer has not been dismissed. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to bypass normal authentication and log in as any user, including Administrators, resulting in complete account takeover.

CVSS

Exploitation probability (EPSS)

EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System, FIRST) estimates how likely a vulnerability is to be exploited in the wild within 30 days. It complements CVSS (impact) and CISA KEV (confirmed exploitation).

🎯 ATT&CK techniques

How this vulnerability is exploited and what the attacker gains, in MITRE ATT&CK terms.

AV:N/PR:L indica acceso de red con privilegios de Subscriber; explotación de servicio remoto (AJAX handler en WordPress) sin validación de capacidades. Impacto: autenticación como administrador (T1078) y potencial manipulación de cuentas (T1098).

Inferred by our analysis agent from the official description, CVSS vector and CWE, and checked by a supervisor. May contain errors.

🛡️ ATT&CK mitigations that cover these techniques

Privileged Account ManagementUser Account ManagementNetwork SegmentationMulti-factor AuthenticationDisable or Remove Feature or ProgramApplication Developer Guidance

Affected technologies (1)

⚠ AI-inferred from the description — NVD hasn't analyzed this CVE yet, these aren't verified CPEs.

Devnath Verma — WP CaptchaAI

CWEs

References

Raw JSON (NVD)

Show
{
  "id": "CVE-2026-5415",
  "cveTags": [],
  "metrics": {
    "ssvcV203": [
      {
        "source": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0",
        "ssvcData": {
          "id": "CVE-2026-5415",
          "role": "CISA Coordinator",
          "options": [
            {
              "exploitation": "none"
            },
            {
              "automatable": "no"
            },
            {
              "technicalImpact": "total"
            }
          ],
          "version": "2.0.3",
          "timestamp": "2026-06-06T11:36:44.648465Z"
        }
      }
    ],
    "cvssMetricV31": [
      {
        "type": "Secondary",
        "source": "security@wordfence.com",
        "cvssData": {
          "scope": "UNCHANGED",
          "version": "3.1",
          "baseScore": 8.8,
          "attackVector": "NETWORK",
          "baseSeverity": "HIGH",
          "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
          "integrityImpact": "HIGH",
          "userInteraction": "NONE",
          "attackComplexity": "LOW",
          "availabilityImpact": "HIGH",
          "privilegesRequired": "LOW",
          "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH"
        },
        "impactScore": 5.9,
        "exploitabilityScore": 2.8
      }
    ]
  },
  "affected": [
    {
      "source": "security@wordfence.com",
      "affectedData": [
        {
          "vendor": "webfactory",
          "product": "Advanced Google reCAPTCHA",
          "versions": [
            {
              "status": "affected",
              "version": "0",
              "versionType": "semver",
              "lessThanOrEqual": "5.38"
            }
          ],
          "defaultStatus": "unaffected"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "published": "2026-06-05T19:16:35.070",
  "references": [
    {
      "url": "https://getwpcaptcha.com",
      "source": "security@wordfence.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/8731565f-4d8a-49e6-9c38-6d4f5e51d68c?source=cve",
      "source": "security@wordfence.com"
    }
  ],
  "vulnStatus": "Deferred",
  "weaknesses": [
    {
      "type": "Secondary",
      "source": "security@wordfence.com",
      "description": [
        {
          "lang": "en",
          "value": "CWE-288"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "descriptions": [
    {
      "lang": "en",
      "value": "The WP Captcha PRO (the premium version of the Advanced Google reCAPTCHA plugin, both have the same slug) plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Authentication Bypass in all versions up to, and including, 5.38. This is due to the ajax_run_tool() AJAX handler relying solely on a nonce check (check_ajax_referer) for security without performing any capability check, combined with the create_temporary_link tool allowing the generation of passwordless login links for arbitrary users, and the handle_temporary_links() function authenticating visitors via these links without any additional authorization validation. The required nonce is exposed to all authenticated backend users (including Subscribers) via wp_localize_script() on all non-settings admin pages when the plugin's welcome pointer has not been dismissed. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to bypass normal authentication and log in as any user, including Administrators, resulting in complete account takeover."
    }
  ],
  "lastModified": "2026-06-17T10:58:59.437",
  "sourceIdentifier": "security@wordfence.com"
}