# CVE-2026-16310: MemberDash <= 1.8.5 - Unauthenticated Account Takeover via Insecure Direct Object Reference via 'id' Parameter

> Unauthenticated attackers can take over any WordPress user account, including administrators, by manipulating the user ID during registration.

- **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:** 6 Sep 2026
- **Updated:** 7 Sep 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-2rc8-vf7f-v3hx

## What is CVE-2026-16310?

CVE-2026-16310 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in LearnDash MemberDash, published on 6 Sep 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The MemberDash plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Insecure Direct Object Reference in all versions up to, and including, 1.8.5 via the 'id' parameter due to missing validation on a user controlled key. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to change the password of any WordPress user, including administrators, by supplying an arbitrary user ID during registration, and take over their account without any notification sent to the victim.

Weakness: CWE-639 (Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-16310?


## How do I fix CVE-2026-16310?

No fix has been published for CVE-2026-16310 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2026-16310 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-16310 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-16310 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-16310 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in LearnDash MemberDash, published on 6 Sep 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-16310 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: LearnDash MemberDash. 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-2026-16310/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-16310/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-16310
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-16310
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-16310

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-16310/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.