WP Plugin Web: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-80099 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in WP Plugin Web from Newfold, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected WP Plugin Web versions: 2.3.5 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 2.91% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 87% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of WP Plugin Web you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newfold | WP Plugin Web | 2.3.5 and earlier | Not stated |
| Newfold | WP Plugin Crazy Domains | 2.5.2 and earlier | Not stated |
| Newfold | WP Module Data | 2.9.7 and earlier | Not stated |
| Newfold | WP Plugin Hostgator | 3.2.0 and earlier | Not stated |
| Newfold | WP Plugin Bluehost | 4.19.0 and earlier | Not 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
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- 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:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (wordfence.com).
Official description
Several Newfold plugins are vulnerable to Authentication Bypass. The vulnerability exists because the plugins bundle the wp-module-data module. In the module, the `authenticate()` method — registered on the `rest_authentication_errors` filter and therefore evaluated for every unauthenticated REST API request — performs an HMAC-style Bearer token comparison that degenerates when `HiiveConnection::get_auth_token()` returns `false`: PHP coerces `strrev(false)` to `strrev('')`, collapsing the secret salt to the publicly known constant `hash('sha256', '') = e3b0c44...`, while all remaining hash inputs (HTTP method, request URL, raw request body, and the `X-Timestamp` header) remain fully attacker-controlled. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to compute a valid Bearer token entirely offline, pass the token equality check, and have `wp_set_current_user()` invoked against the first administrator returned by `get_users(['role' => 'administrator'])`, granting full administrator-level access and enabling arbitrary REST API operations such as creating new administrator accounts and achieving complete site takeover. Vulnerable versions are WP Plugin Crazy Domains (<= 2.5.2), WP Plugin Web (<= 2.3.4), WP Plugin Hostgator (<= 3.1.0), WP Plugin Bluehost (<= 4.17.1). The affected module is vulnerable in versions up to, and including, 2.9.4.
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: no, technical impact: total).
References
Patches and release notes
Other references
- github.com/newfold-labs/wp-plugin-bluehost/compare/4.19.0...4.19.1
- github.com/newfold-labs/wp-plugin-crazy-domains/compare/2.5.2...2.5.3
- github.com/newfold-labs/wp-plugin-hostgator/compare/3.2.0...3.2.1
- github.com/newfold-labs/wp-plugin-web/compare/2.3.5...2.3.6
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-module-data/trunk/includes/Data.php#L191
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-module-data/trunk/includes/Data.php#L201
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-module-data/trunk/includes/Data.php#L222
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-module-data/trunk/includes/Data.php#L69
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-module-data/trunk/includes/HiiveConnection.php#L406
- wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/3ee369c0-0d7c-4142-b3ba-a518288647ba?source=cve
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 7.3 High severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.