CVE-2026-5464 Missing authorization in ExactMetrics – Google Analytics Dashboard for WordPress (Website Stats Plugin)
Authenticated attackers with Editor access can install arbitrary plugins via a missing authorization check, leading to remote code execution.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- An administrator
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-5464?
CVE-2026-5464 is a high-severity missing authorization vulnerability in smub ExactMetrics – Google Analytics Dashboard for WordPress (Website Stats Plugin), published on 23 Apr 2026. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Official description
The ExactMetrics – Google Analytics Dashboard for WordPress (Website Stats Plugin) plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized arbitrary plugin installation and activation in all versions up to, and including, 9.1.2. This is due to the reports page exposing the 'onboarding_key' transient to any user with the 'exactmetrics_view_dashboard' capability. This key is the sole authorization gate for the '/wp-json/exactmetrics/v1/onboarding/connect-url' REST endpoint, which returns a one-time hash (OTH) token. This OTH token is then the only credential checked by the 'exactmetrics_connect_process' AJAX endpoint — which has no capability check, no nonce verification, and accepts an arbitrary plugin ZIP URL via the file parameter for installation and activation. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Editor-level access and above granted the report viewing permission, to install and activate arbitrary plugins from attacker-controlled URLs, leading to Remote Code Execution.
Weakness: CWE-862
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-5464?
How do I fix CVE-2026-5464?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-5464 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and check permissions on every request on the server, not only in the interface. More about Missing authorization.
Is CVE-2026-5464 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-5464 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-wx6x-8rvm-6rmr.