SSL Wireless SMS Notification: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-96228 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in SSL Wireless SMS Notification from Sslplugins, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected SSL Wireless SMS Notification versions: 3.8.1 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 0.47% 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
- Check which version of SSL Wireless SMS Notification you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sslplugins | SSL Wireless SMS Notification | 3.8.1 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
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- 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
- 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:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (wordfence.com).
Official description
SSL Wireless SMS Notification for WordPress is vulnerable to Authentication Bypass in all versions up to, and including, 3.8.1. The public final_login_ajax_action handler resolves a user and issues an authenticated session by matching the wp_sslcare_otp table on only the attacker-supplied phone and cap_data, without verifying the SMS OTP or any server-side single-use state. Because cap_data was chosen by the attacker in the public otp_login_ajax_action step (which stores the row before sending the SMS), the finalize step trivially matches and the user is looked up solely by the sslcare_login_phone meta. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers who know a phone-linked user's number to take over that account.
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
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in SSL Wireless SMS Notification
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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