# CVE-2021-36888: Missing authorization in Image Hover Effects Ultimate (WordPress plugin)

> Unauthenticated attackers can arbitrarily update plugin options, leading to full website compromise and potential code execution.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 15 Dec 2021
- **Updated:** 28 Apr 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-8fjw-gv37-439q

## What is CVE-2021-36888?

CVE-2021-36888 is a critical missing authorization vulnerability in Oxilab Image Hover Effects Ultimate (WordPress plugin), published on 15 Dec 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Unauthenticated Arbitrary Options Update vulnerability leading to full website compromise discovered in Image Hover Effects Ultimate (versions <= 9.6.1) WordPress plugin.

Weakness: CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality), CWE-284 (Improper Access Control)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-36888?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Blocksera Image Hover Effects.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-36888?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-36888 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2021-36888 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2021-36888 exists.

Public exploit code:

- WordPress Image Hover Ultimate - Unauthenticated Settings Update (nuclei): http/cves/2021/CVE-2021-36888.yaml

## Other vulnerabilities in Oxilab Image Hover Effects Ultimate (WordPress plugin)

- [CVE-2021-24264](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-24264/): Image Hover Effects - Elementor Addon < 1.3.4 - Contributor+ Stored XSS (medium 5.4)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-36888 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-36888 is a critical missing authorization vulnerability in Oxilab Image Hover Effects Ultimate (WordPress plugin), published on 15 Dec 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2021-36888 exists.

Affected product: Oxilab Image Hover Effects Ultimate (WordPress plugin). No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-36888/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-36888/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-36888
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-36888
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-36888

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-36888/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.