Arvow AI SEO Writer: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-16257 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in Arvow AI SEO Writer, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 1.5.4 as the first without the flaw, so updating Arvow AI SEO Writer to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.36% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Arvow AI SEO Writer to 1.5.4 or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arvow AI SEO Writer | Arvow AI SEO Writer | before 1.5.4 | 1.5.4 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- LowSome restricted data can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
The Arvow AI SEO Writer WordPress plugin before 1.5.4 does not properly restrict access to one of its REST endpoints, whose only access control can be bypassed by unauthenticated users through type juggling when the Arvow AI SEO Writer WordPress plugin before 1.5.4 has not been configured, allowing them to create arbitrary posts and pages and to disclose author account and taxonomy information.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
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