CVE-2026-15459Network attack vector

Unauthenticated code execution via empty-key HMAC forgery

Published Aug 6, 2026 · Updated Aug 6, 2026

Authentication bypass in WPMU DEV Dashboard 5.0.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute code through privileged Hub actions. On unconnected sites, validate_hash() accepts a WDP-AUTH HMAC keyed with the default empty API key, while the public init handler lacks a capability check. A forged request can install and activate an attacker-supplied plugin, delete themes or plugins, upgrade core, or create an administrator SSO session; connected sites with a 64-character key are not affected.

CVSS severity8.1
High
EPSS probability0.51%
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 WPMU DEV Dashboard 5.0.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute code through privileged Hub actions. On unconnected sites, validate_hash() accepts a WDP-AUTH HMAC keyed with the default empty API key, while the public init handler lacks a capability check. A forged request can install and activate an attacker-supplied plugin, delete themes or plugins, upgrade core, or create an administrator SSO session; connected sites with a 64-character key are not affected.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-15459
Published
Aug 6, 2026
Updated
Aug 6, 2026
Vendor
AIOSEO Plugin Team
Product
WPMU DEV Dashboard
Classifications
CWE-287, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 6, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 6, 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 <=5.0.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

AIOSEO Plugin Team · WPMU DEV Dashboardversion=0 <=5.0.0

Published CVSS scores

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.

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 exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-287Improper Authentication
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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