CVE-2026-19842: CWE-287 Improper Authentication in SAML Single Sign On
A vulnerability in the SAML Single Sign On WordPress plugin before version 5.4.7 allows improper authentication due to failure to verify the signature of a SAML response before storing its certificate. This flaw enables an attacker to promote their own certificate to a trusted signing certificate with a single click, potentially allowing them to authenticate as any user, including administrators.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-19842 describes an improper authentication vulnerability (CWE-287) in the SAML Single Sign On WordPress plugin versions >=4.8.85 and <5.4.7. The plugin does not verify the signature of a SAML response before storing the certificate it carries. It also provides an administrator control that can promote the stored certificate to the site's trusted signing certificate. This combination allows unauthenticated attackers to have a certificate trusted by the site and authenticate as any user, including administrators.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an unauthenticated attacker to gain administrative access by promoting their own certificate to a trusted signing certificate, leading to full compromise of the WordPress site. The CVSS score of 8.8 (high severity) reflects the network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade the SAML Single Sign On WordPress plugin to version 5.4.7 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. Until then, administrators should avoid using the one-click certificate promotion control and verify certificates manually if possible. Patch status is confirmed fixed in version 5.4.7.
CVE-2026-19842: CWE-287 Improper Authentication in SAML Single Sign On
Description
A vulnerability in the SAML Single Sign On WordPress plugin before version 5.4.7 allows improper authentication due to failure to verify the signature of a SAML response before storing its certificate. This flaw enables an attacker to promote their own certificate to a trusted signing certificate with a single click, potentially allowing them to authenticate as any user, including administrators.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.8high
Affected software
SAML Single Sign On
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-19842 describes an improper authentication vulnerability (CWE-287) in the SAML Single Sign On WordPress plugin versions >=4.8.85 and <5.4.7. The plugin does not verify the signature of a SAML response before storing the certificate it carries. It also provides an administrator control that can promote the stored certificate to the site's trusted signing certificate. This combination allows unauthenticated attackers to have a certificate trusted by the site and authenticate as any user, including administrators.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an unauthenticated attacker to gain administrative access by promoting their own certificate to a trusted signing certificate, leading to full compromise of the WordPress site. The CVSS score of 8.8 (high severity) reflects the network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade the SAML Single Sign On WordPress plugin to version 5.4.7 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. Until then, administrators should avoid using the one-click certificate promotion control and verify certificates manually if possible. Patch status is confirmed fixed in version 5.4.7.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- WPScan
- Date Reserved
- 2026-08-14T08:01:39.582Z
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6a854e95c6e8be033248b2d3
Added to database: 08/19/2026, 06:35:01 UTC
Last enriched: 09/11/2026, 09:47:03 UTC
Last updated: 10/02/2026, 14:46:06 UTC
Views: 63
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.