CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-18056NVD status: Deferred

HivePress Authentication: Improper Authentication

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-18056 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in HivePress Authentication from HivePress, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected HivePress Authentication versions: 1.1.4 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.57% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of HivePress Authentication you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
  3. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
HivepressHivePress Authentication1.1.4 and earlierNot stated

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
HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (wordfence.com).

Official description

The HivePress Authentication plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Authentication Bypass via the access_token parameter in all versions up to, and including, 1.1.4. This is due to the authenticate_user function's Facebook authenticator resolving third-party identity by forwarding the attacker-supplied access_token to the Facebook Graph API and trusting the returned email and ID verbatim, without performing any application ID or audience validation — specifically, no /debug_token verification and no comparison of the token's app_id against the configured hp_facebook_app_id. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to authenticate as any existing WordPress user, including administrators, whose email address is associated with a Facebook account for which the attacker can obtain any valid access token. Important Note: To exploit the vulnerability, the attacker must obtain the victim's access token.

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.

More Improper Authentication vulnerabilities (CWE-287)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities

Spotted an error? Tell us.