CVE-2026-8681: CWE-862 Missing Authorization in essentialplugin Essential Chat Support
The Essential Chat Support plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authorization bypass in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.1. This is due to the plugin not properly verifying that a user is authorized to perform an action. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to reset all plugin configuration settings — including general settings, display rules, custom CSS, and WooCommerce tab settings — to their defaults by sending a POST request with ecs_reset_settings=1.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-8681 is an authorization bypass vulnerability in the Essential Chat Support WordPress plugin (up to version 1.0.1). The plugin fails to verify user authorization before processing a POST request parameter (ecs_reset_settings=1), enabling unauthenticated attackers to reset all plugin settings to their defaults. This includes general plugin configurations, display rules, custom CSS, and WooCommerce tab settings. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization). There is no vendor-provided patch or official remediation at this time, and no known exploits in the wild have been reported.
Potential Impact
An attacker can reset the plugin's configuration settings without authentication, potentially disrupting the intended chat support functionality and causing loss of customized settings. This impacts the integrity of the plugin's configuration but does not affect confidentiality or availability. No evidence of exploitation in the wild is currently known.
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's endpoints if possible and monitor for suspicious POST requests attempting to reset settings. Avoid exposing the plugin to untrusted users or networks. Follow the vendor's updates for an official fix.
CVE-2026-8681: CWE-862 Missing Authorization in essentialplugin Essential Chat Support
Description
The Essential Chat Support plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authorization bypass in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.1. This is due to the plugin not properly verifying that a user is authorized to perform an action. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to reset all plugin configuration settings — including general settings, display rules, custom CSS, and WooCommerce tab settings — to their defaults by sending a POST request with ecs_reset_settings=1.
CVSS v3.1
Score 5.3medium
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-8681 is an authorization bypass vulnerability in the Essential Chat Support WordPress plugin (up to version 1.0.1). The plugin fails to verify user authorization before processing a POST request parameter (ecs_reset_settings=1), enabling unauthenticated attackers to reset all plugin settings to their defaults. This includes general plugin configurations, display rules, custom CSS, and WooCommerce tab settings. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization). There is no vendor-provided patch or official remediation at this time, and no known exploits in the wild have been reported.
Potential Impact
An attacker can reset the plugin's configuration settings without authentication, potentially disrupting the intended chat support functionality and causing loss of customized settings. This impacts the integrity of the plugin's configuration but does not affect confidentiality or availability. No evidence of exploitation in the wild is currently known.
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's endpoints if possible and monitor for suspicious POST requests attempting to reset settings. Avoid exposing the plugin to untrusted users or networks. Follow the vendor's updates for an official fix.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Wordfence
- Date Reserved
- 2026-05-15T13:35:04.229Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a07dbb9ec166c07b0ef2cd5
Added to database: 5/16/2026, 2:51:37 AM
Last enriched: 5/23/2026, 6:32:38 AM
Last updated: 6/18/2026, 4:55:58 AM
Views: 64
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