CVE-2026-2688: CWE-863 Incorrect Authorization in HIPAA FORMS
Description
The HIPAA FORMS WordPress plugin before 3.2.0 contains a hardcoded authentication bypass via a hardcoded parameter alongside all AJAX requests. The server explicitly checks for this value to skip nonce validation entirely. This allows unauthenticated attackers to access protected AJAX endpoints.
CVSS v3.1
Score 6.5medium
Affected software
HIPAA FORMS
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-2688 is an incorrect authorization vulnerability in the HIPAA FORMS WordPress plugin prior to version 3.2.0. The plugin includes a hardcoded parameter checked by the server to bypass nonce validation on all AJAX requests. This design flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to bypass authentication controls and access protected AJAX endpoints, potentially exposing sensitive functionality or data. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization). No official patch or remediation guidance is currently provided, and no known exploits are reported in the wild.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and access protected AJAX endpoints in the HIPAA FORMS plugin. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive operations or data handled by these endpoints. The CVSS score of 6.5 reflects a medium impact with low complexity and no user interaction required. There is no indication of impact on availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, users should consider disabling the plugin or restricting access to AJAX endpoints through other means such as web application firewalls or access controls. Monitor vendor channels for updates and apply patches promptly once available.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- WPScan
- Date Reserved
- 2026-02-18T14:11:00.628Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6a983bc6acd9273b496145c8
Added to database: 09/02/2026, 15:07:50 UTC
Last enriched: 09/07/2026, 13:52:19 UTC
Last updated: 10/17/2026, 18:48:18 UTC
Views: 79
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