CVE-2026-8994: CWE-287 Improper Authentication in learnnearclub Login with NEAR
The Login with NEAR plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Authentication Bypass in all versions up to, and including, 0.3.3. The `ajaxLoginWithNear()` function — registered as a `wp_ajax_nopriv` action and therefore reachable by unauthenticated users — accepts an attacker-supplied `account` POST parameter and issues a valid WordPress authentication cookie based solely on a substring check for `.near`, with no nonce verification, cryptographic signature validation, challenge-response exchange, or any proof that the requester controls the corresponding NEAR wallet. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to log in as any existing WordPress user, including administrators, whose email address matches the deterministic `<account>@near.org` pattern derived from the supplied `account` value. If no matching user exists, the handler automatically creates and authenticates a new WordPress account for the attacker-controlled identifier, providing a further avenue for unauthorized account creation.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-8994 is an authentication bypass vulnerability in the Login with NEAR WordPress plugin (up to version 0.3.3). The ajaxLoginWithNear() function, exposed as a wp_ajax_nopriv action, accepts an attacker-controlled 'account' POST parameter and issues a valid WordPress authentication cookie based solely on a substring check for '.near'. It lacks nonce verification, cryptographic signature validation, or any proof of control over the NEAR wallet. This allows unauthenticated attackers to log in as any existing user with an email matching '<account>@near.org' or create new authenticated accounts if none exist. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected WordPress sites.
Potential Impact
An attacker can bypass authentication controls to log in as any existing WordPress user, including administrators, or create new authenticated accounts without authorization. This compromises site confidentiality, integrity, and availability, potentially allowing full site takeover or unauthorized actions under privileged accounts.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict access to the ajaxLoginWithNear() endpoint if possible or disable the Login with NEAR plugin to prevent exploitation.
CVE-2026-8994: CWE-287 Improper Authentication in learnnearclub Login with NEAR
Description
The Login with NEAR plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Authentication Bypass in all versions up to, and including, 0.3.3. The `ajaxLoginWithNear()` function — registered as a `wp_ajax_nopriv` action and therefore reachable by unauthenticated users — accepts an attacker-supplied `account` POST parameter and issues a valid WordPress authentication cookie based solely on a substring check for `.near`, with no nonce verification, cryptographic signature validation, challenge-response exchange, or any proof that the requester controls the corresponding NEAR wallet. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to log in as any existing WordPress user, including administrators, whose email address matches the deterministic `<account>@near.org` pattern derived from the supplied `account` value. If no matching user exists, the handler automatically creates and authenticates a new WordPress account for the attacker-controlled identifier, providing a further avenue for unauthorized account creation.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.1high
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-8994 is an authentication bypass vulnerability in the Login with NEAR WordPress plugin (up to version 0.3.3). The ajaxLoginWithNear() function, exposed as a wp_ajax_nopriv action, accepts an attacker-controlled 'account' POST parameter and issues a valid WordPress authentication cookie based solely on a substring check for '.near'. It lacks nonce verification, cryptographic signature validation, or any proof of control over the NEAR wallet. This allows unauthenticated attackers to log in as any existing user with an email matching '<account>@near.org' or create new authenticated accounts if none exist. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected WordPress sites.
Potential Impact
An attacker can bypass authentication controls to log in as any existing WordPress user, including administrators, or create new authenticated accounts without authorization. This compromises site confidentiality, integrity, and availability, potentially allowing full site takeover or unauthorized actions under privileged accounts.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict access to the ajaxLoginWithNear() endpoint if possible or disable the Login with NEAR plugin to prevent exploitation.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Wordfence
- Date Reserved
- 2026-05-19T13:27:21.764Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a169069e29bf47b509e1876
Added to database: 05/27/2026, 06:34:17 UTC
Last enriched: 05/27/2026, 06:48:28 UTC
Last updated: 07/31/2026, 19:23:00 UTC
Views: 71
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