CVE-2026-15459: CWE-287 Improper Authentication in wpmudev WPMU DEV Dashboard
The WPMU DEV Dashboard plugin for WordPress contains an authentication bypass vulnerability in all versions up to and including 5.0.0. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to perform privileged actions such as installing and activating plugins from attacker-supplied URLs, deleting plugins and themes, upgrading WordPress core, or logging in as an administrator via SSO. The vulnerability arises because sites not connected to the WPMU DEV Hub have an empty API key, making request signatures trivially forgeable. Version 5.0.0 also removed a replay check, increasing exploitability. Sites connected to a WPMU DEV account with a valid API key are not affected.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-15459 is an authentication bypass vulnerability in the WPMU DEV Dashboard WordPress plugin affecting versions up to and including 5.0.0. On sites not connected to the WPMU DEV Hub, the API key used for signing requests is empty, allowing attackers to forge the WDP-AUTH request signature validated by validate_hash(). Additionally, version 5.0.0 removed the replay protection in validate_nonce(), and the remote handler is exposed on a public hook without capability checks. These issues enable unauthenticated attackers to invoke privileged Hub actions remotely, including installing and activating plugins from attacker-controlled URLs (leading to remote code execution), deleting plugins and themes, upgrading WordPress core, and logging in as administrators via SSO. Sites connected to the WPMU DEV Hub with a non-empty 64-character API key are not vulnerable.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows unauthenticated attackers to perform high-impact actions such as remote code execution via plugin installation, deletion of plugins and themes, unauthorized WordPress core upgrades, and administrative login via SSO. This compromises site confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, sites connected to the WPMU DEV Hub with a valid API key are not affected. For sites not connected, consider connecting to the Hub or disabling the plugin until a fix is released. Monitor vendor communications for updates.
CVE-2026-15459: CWE-287 Improper Authentication in wpmudev WPMU DEV Dashboard
Description
The WPMU DEV Dashboard plugin for WordPress contains an authentication bypass vulnerability in all versions up to and including 5.0.0. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to perform privileged actions such as installing and activating plugins from attacker-supplied URLs, deleting plugins and themes, upgrading WordPress core, or logging in as an administrator via SSO. The vulnerability arises because sites not connected to the WPMU DEV Hub have an empty API key, making request signatures trivially forgeable. Version 5.0.0 also removed a replay check, increasing exploitability. Sites connected to a WPMU DEV account with a valid API key are not affected.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.1high
Affected software
wpmudev
WPMU DEV Dashboard
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-15459 is an authentication bypass vulnerability in the WPMU DEV Dashboard WordPress plugin affecting versions up to and including 5.0.0. On sites not connected to the WPMU DEV Hub, the API key used for signing requests is empty, allowing attackers to forge the WDP-AUTH request signature validated by validate_hash(). Additionally, version 5.0.0 removed the replay protection in validate_nonce(), and the remote handler is exposed on a public hook without capability checks. These issues enable unauthenticated attackers to invoke privileged Hub actions remotely, including installing and activating plugins from attacker-controlled URLs (leading to remote code execution), deleting plugins and themes, upgrading WordPress core, and logging in as administrators via SSO. Sites connected to the WPMU DEV Hub with a non-empty 64-character API key are not vulnerable.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows unauthenticated attackers to perform high-impact actions such as remote code execution via plugin installation, deletion of plugins and themes, unauthorized WordPress core upgrades, and administrative login via SSO. This compromises site confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, sites connected to the WPMU DEV Hub with a valid API key are not affected. For sites not connected, consider connecting to the Hub or disabling the plugin until a fix is released. Monitor vendor communications for updates.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Wordfence
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-10T20:11:30.150Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6a741e9bbf8831d53936e7c8
Added to database: 08/06/2026, 05:41:47 UTC
Last enriched: 08/13/2026, 17:17:10 UTC
Last updated: 09/20/2026, 16:20:38 UTC
Views: 66
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