CVE-2020-37255 WordPress Time Capsule Plugin 1.21.16 Authentication Bypass
Unauthenticated attackers can gain administrative access to WordPress sites using the Time Capsule plugin by sending a crafted POST request.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2020-37255?
CVE-2020-37255 is a high-severity authentication bypass vulnerability in Wptimecapsule Time Capsule Plugin, published on 20 Jun 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
WordPress Time Capsule Plugin 1.21.16 contains an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to gain administrative access by sending a crafted POST request with the IWP_JSON_PREFIX header. Attackers can exploit this flaw to obtain valid administrator session cookies and access the WordPress dashboard without providing credentials.
Weakness: CWE-288
Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-37255?
How do I fix CVE-2020-37255?
No fix has been published for CVE-2020-37255 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and rotate credentials and sessions that may have been exposed. More about Authentication bypass.
Is CVE-2020-37255 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2020-37255 exists.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-4jwp-2g8r-6m99.