CVE-2022-3538Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated plugin deactivation via unchecked uninstall request

Published Nov 14, 2022 · Updated Apr 30, 2025

Missing authorization in Webmaster Tools Verification 1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to deactivate arbitrary WordPress plugins. The wmtv_uninstall handler accepts attacker-selected plugin identifiers from POST data without a capability check or CSRF validation. The attacker needs network access to a WordPress site running the plugin; the action can interrupt protections or site features without directly reading data or executing code.

CVSS severity6.5
Medium
EPSS probability0.37%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Missing authorization in Webmaster Tools Verification 1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to deactivate arbitrary WordPress plugins. The wmtv_uninstall handler accepts attacker-selected plugin identifiers from POST data without a capability check or CSRF validation. The attacker needs network access to a WordPress site running the plugin; the action can interrupt protections or site features without directly reading data or executing code.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-3538
Published
Nov 14, 2022
Updated
Apr 30, 2025
Vendor
James Pegram
Product
Webmaster Tools Verification
Classifications
CWE-352, CWE-862, T1562.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 14, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 30, 2025Record 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=1.2 <=1.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

James Pegram · Webmaster Tools Verificationversion=1.2 <=1.2

Published CVSS scores

6.5WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L
6.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
6.5CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-352Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
CWE-862Missing Authorization
T1562.001Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Tools

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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