CVE-2026-1490: CWE-350 Reliance on Reverse DNS Resolution for a Security-Critical Action in cleantalk Spam protection, Honeypot, Anti-Spam by CleanTalk
The Spam protection, Anti-Spam, FireWall by CleanTalk plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized Arbitrary Plugin Installation due to an authorization bypass via reverse DNS (PTR record) spoofing on the 'checkWithoutToken' function in all versions up to, and including, 6.71. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to install and activate arbitrary plugins which can be leveraged to achieve remote code execution if another vulnerable plugin is installed and activated. Note: This is only exploitable on sites with an invalid API key.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The CleanTalk WordPress plugin's 'checkWithoutToken' function relies on reverse DNS resolution for security decisions, which can be spoofed by attackers. This weakness (CWE-350) allows unauthorized arbitrary plugin installation and activation on affected versions (up to 6.71) when the site has an invalid API key. Successful exploitation can lead to remote code execution if additional vulnerable plugins are installed. The vulnerability is network exploitable without privileges or user interaction, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts.
Potential Impact
An attacker can bypass authorization controls and install arbitrary plugins on the affected WordPress site, potentially leading to remote code execution if other vulnerable plugins are present. This compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the site. The vulnerability is critical and can be exploited remotely without authentication, but only on sites with invalid API keys.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, ensure that a valid API key is configured for the CleanTalk plugin to prevent exploitation. Monitor vendor channels for updates and apply patches promptly once released.
CVE-2026-1490: CWE-350 Reliance on Reverse DNS Resolution for a Security-Critical Action in cleantalk Spam protection, Honeypot, Anti-Spam by CleanTalk
Description
The Spam protection, Anti-Spam, FireWall by CleanTalk plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized Arbitrary Plugin Installation due to an authorization bypass via reverse DNS (PTR record) spoofing on the 'checkWithoutToken' function in all versions up to, and including, 6.71. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to install and activate arbitrary plugins which can be leveraged to achieve remote code execution if another vulnerable plugin is installed and activated. Note: This is only exploitable on sites with an invalid API key.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The CleanTalk WordPress plugin's 'checkWithoutToken' function relies on reverse DNS resolution for security decisions, which can be spoofed by attackers. This weakness (CWE-350) allows unauthorized arbitrary plugin installation and activation on affected versions (up to 6.71) when the site has an invalid API key. Successful exploitation can lead to remote code execution if additional vulnerable plugins are installed. The vulnerability is network exploitable without privileges or user interaction, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts.
Potential Impact
An attacker can bypass authorization controls and install arbitrary plugins on the affected WordPress site, potentially leading to remote code execution if other vulnerable plugins are present. This compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the site. The vulnerability is critical and can be exploited remotely without authentication, but only on sites with invalid API keys.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, ensure that a valid API key is configured for the CleanTalk plugin to prevent exploitation. Monitor vendor channels for updates and apply patches promptly once released.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Wordfence
- Date Reserved
- 2026-01-27T14:18:46.456Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 69913eb4c9e1ff5ad8fbefbd
Added to database: 2/15/2026, 3:34:12 AM
Last enriched: 4/9/2026, 11:19:28 AM
Last updated: 5/16/2026, 10:42:33 AM
Views: 521
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