CVE-2026-12281 Shibboleth < 2.5.4 - Unauthenticated Administrator Account Creation via Identity Header Spoofing
Unauthenticated attackers can create administrator accounts via header spoofing in Shibboleth plugin if specific non-default configurations are enabled.
- 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-2026-12281?
CVE-2026-12281 is a high-severity authentication bypass vulnerability in Unknown Shibboleth, published on 15 Jul 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
The Shibboleth WordPress plugin before 2.5.4 does not fail closed when its HTTP header identity mode is enabled without an anti-spoofing key, treating any request that carries identity headers as an authenticated session without verifying them. On a deployment where untrusted client headers reach the application, an unauthenticated attacker can log in with forged identity headers and, when automatic account creation and the default administrator role mapping are enabled, create and sign in as a new administrator. Exploitation requires the non-default HTTP header attribute mode, an empty or absent spoof key, automatic account creation enabled, and a deployment that does not strip untrusted client headers before they reach the application.
Weakness: CWE-287
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-12281?
How do I fix CVE-2026-12281?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-12281 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-2026-12281 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-12281 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-x945-qvjm-5rqp.