CVE-2022-0993Network attack vector

Administrator account takeover via unbound backup codes

Published Apr 19, 2022 · Updated Apr 8, 2026

Authentication bypass in SiteGround Security 1.2.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to access administrator accounts via 2FA backup codes. The validate_2fabc_login function accepts a user-selected account ID and backup code, then sets that account's authentication cookie without confirming prior password authentication. Exploitation requires a valid or brute-forced eight-digit backup code and grants the selected account's privileges, including full site control for an administrator.

CVSS severity8.1
High
EPSS probability7.54%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Authentication bypass in SiteGround Security 1.2.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to access administrator accounts via 2FA backup codes. The validate_2fabc_login function accepts a user-selected account ID and backup code, then sets that account's authentication cookie without confirming prior password authentication. Exploitation requires a valid or brute-forced eight-digit backup code and grants the selected account's privileges, including full site control for an administrator.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-0993
Published
Apr 19, 2022
Updated
Apr 8, 2026
Vendor
SiteGround
Product
Security Optimizer
Classifications
CWE-285, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 19, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 8, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <=1.2.5

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

SiteGround · Security Optimizerversion=0 <=1.2.5

Published CVSS scores

7.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.1WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-285Improper Authorization
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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