CVE-2026-16261: CWE-287 Improper Authentication in login-social
The login-social WordPress plugin versions up to 1.0.4 contains an improper authentication vulnerability. It fails to validate password-reset requests against a reset key or verify the requester's identity. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to reset any user's password or log in as any existing user, including administrators, potentially leading to full site takeover.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-16261 is an improper authentication vulnerability (CWE-287) in the login-social WordPress plugin through version 1.0.4. The plugin does not validate password-reset requests with a reset key or verify the identity of the requester. Additionally, it issues authentication sessions based on unverified third-party sign-in data. These weaknesses enable unauthenticated attackers to reset passwords for any user or authenticate as any existing account, including administrators, thereby allowing complete control over the affected WordPress site.
Potential Impact
An attacker can reset passwords or log in as any user without authentication, including administrators. This can lead to full site compromise and loss of control over the WordPress installation.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, restrict access to the plugin or disable it if possible to prevent exploitation.
CVE-2026-16261: CWE-287 Improper Authentication in login-social
Description
The login-social WordPress plugin versions up to 1.0.4 contains an improper authentication vulnerability. It fails to validate password-reset requests against a reset key or verify the requester's identity. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to reset any user's password or log in as any existing user, including administrators, potentially leading to full site takeover.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.5high
Affected software
login-social
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-16261 is an improper authentication vulnerability (CWE-287) in the login-social WordPress plugin through version 1.0.4. The plugin does not validate password-reset requests with a reset key or verify the identity of the requester. Additionally, it issues authentication sessions based on unverified third-party sign-in data. These weaknesses enable unauthenticated attackers to reset passwords for any user or authenticate as any existing account, including administrators, thereby allowing complete control over the affected WordPress site.
Potential Impact
An attacker can reset passwords or log in as any user without authentication, including administrators. This can lead to full site compromise and loss of control over the WordPress installation.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, restrict access to the plugin or disable it if possible to prevent exploitation.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- WPScan
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-20T08:30:34.041Z
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6a6f99cabf32cb7a344bda55
Added to database: 08/02/2026, 19:26:02 UTC
Last enriched: 08/10/2026, 15:09:39 UTC
Last updated: 09/16/2026, 10:01:30 UTC
Views: 40
Community Reviews
0 reviewsCrowdsource mitigation strategies, share intel context, and vote on the most helpful responses. Sign in to add your voice and help keep defenders ahead.
Want to contribute mitigation steps or threat intel context? Sign in or create an account to join the community discussion.
Actions
Updates to AI analysis require Pro Console access. Upgrade inside Console → Billing.
External Links
Need more coverage?
Upgrade to Pro Console for AI refresh and higher limits.
For incident response and remediation, OffSeq services can help resolve threats faster.
Latest Threats
Check if your credentials are on the dark web
Instant breach scanning across billions of leaked records. Free tier available.