CVE-2025-15018 Optional Email <= 1.3.11 - Unauthenticated Privilege Escalation to Account Takeover
Unauthenticated attackers can hijack any user account, including administrators, by manipulating password reset keys due to improper filter handling in the Optional Email plugin.
- 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-2025-15018?
CVE-2025-15018 is a critical vulnerability in djanym Optional Email, published on 7 Jan 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
The Optional Email plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation via Account Takeover in all versions up to, and including, 1.3.11. This is due to the plugin not restricting its 'random_password' filter to registration contexts, allowing the filter to affect password reset key generation. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to set a known password reset key when initiating a password reset, reset the password of any user including administrators, and gain access to their accounts.
Weakness: CWE-639
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-15018?
How do I fix CVE-2025-15018?
No fix has been published for CVE-2025-15018 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2025-15018 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-15018 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-9w2c-ww5q-2rj7.