CVE-2026-16269: CWE-287 Improper Authentication in Newsletters
The Newsletters WordPress plugin before 4.16 does not strictly compare its API authentication key, allowing unauthenticated attackers to bypass the API authentication via type juggling and perform privileged actions such as modifying subscriber records and sending emails, when the optional API has been enabled.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-16269 describes an authentication bypass vulnerability in the Newsletters WordPress plugin versions prior to 4.16. The plugin does not strictly compare the API authentication key, which allows attackers to exploit type juggling to bypass authentication checks. This can lead to unauthorized privileged actions such as modifying subscriber data and sending emails through the plugin's API when enabled.
Potential Impact
An attacker who exploits this vulnerability can bypass API authentication without valid credentials, leading to unauthorized modification of subscriber records and sending of emails. This could result in unauthorized access to subscriber data and potential abuse of the email sending functionality.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, it is recommended to disable the optional API feature if not required to reduce exposure.
CVE-2026-16269: CWE-287 Improper Authentication in Newsletters
Description
The Newsletters WordPress plugin before 4.16 does not strictly compare its API authentication key, allowing unauthenticated attackers to bypass the API authentication via type juggling and perform privileged actions such as modifying subscriber records and sending emails, when the optional API has been enabled.
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-16269 describes an authentication bypass vulnerability in the Newsletters WordPress plugin versions prior to 4.16. The plugin does not strictly compare the API authentication key, which allows attackers to exploit type juggling to bypass authentication checks. This can lead to unauthorized privileged actions such as modifying subscriber data and sending emails through the plugin's API when enabled.
Potential Impact
An attacker who exploits this vulnerability can bypass API authentication without valid credentials, leading to unauthorized modification of subscriber records and sending of emails. This could result in unauthorized access to subscriber data and potential abuse of the email sending functionality.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, it is recommended to disable the optional API feature if not required to reduce exposure.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- WPScan
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-20T09:09:41.544Z
- Cvss Version
- null
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a76cc2abf8831d539114706
Added to database: 08/08/2026, 06:26:50 UTC
Last enriched: 08/08/2026, 06:48:28 UTC
Last updated: 08/08/2026, 14:57:00 UTC
Views: 7
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