CVE-2026-5415 WP Captcha PRO <= 5.38 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) Authentication Bypass via Temporary Login Link
Authenticated subscribers can bypass authentication and log in as any user, including administrators, due to missing capability checks in the WP Captcha PRO plugin.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-5415?
CVE-2026-5415 is a high-severity authentication bypass vulnerability in webfactory Advanced Google reCAPTCHA, published on 5 Jun 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
The WP Captcha PRO (the premium version of the Advanced Google reCAPTCHA plugin, both have the same slug) plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Authentication Bypass in all versions up to, and including, 5.38. This is due to the ajax_run_tool() AJAX handler relying solely on a nonce check (check_ajax_referer) for security without performing any capability check, combined with the create_temporary_link tool allowing the generation of passwordless login links for arbitrary users, and the handle_temporary_links() function authenticating visitors via these links without any additional authorization validation. The required nonce is exposed to all authenticated backend users (including Subscribers) via wp_localize_script() on all non-settings admin pages when the plugin's welcome pointer has not been dismissed. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to bypass normal authentication and log in as any user, including Administrators, resulting in complete account takeover.
Weakness: CWE-288
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-5415?
How do I fix CVE-2026-5415?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-5415 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-2026-5415 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-5415 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Public exploit code: 1 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-f32q-xh2j-mm3g.