CVE-2026-23550Known exploitationPublic exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated administrator access via direct-request authentication bypass

Published Jan 14, 2026 · Updated Jan 14, 2026

Authentication bypass in Modular Connector 2.5.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain a WordPress administrator session. An attacker-controlled origin value and arbitrary type activate direct-request mode, while ModularGuard validates only that the site is connected; the login route then selects an existing administrator and issues authentication cookies. Any connected site exposing the plugin API can therefore yield wp-admin access without credentials, enabling full administrative control.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability21.69%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationReported
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Authentication bypass in Modular Connector 2.5.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain a WordPress administrator session. An attacker-controlled origin value and arbitrary type activate direct-request mode, while ModularGuard validates only that the site is connected; the login route then selects an existing administrator and issues authentication cookies. Any connected site exposing the plugin API can therefore yield wp-admin access without credentials, enabling full administrative control.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-23550
Published
Jan 14, 2026
Updated
Jan 14, 2026
Vendor
Modular DS
Product
Modular Connector
Classifications
CWE-266, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 13, 2026Exploitation reportedObserved exploitation of the administrator-session bypass
  2. Jan 14, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  3. Jan 14, 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=n/a <=2.5.1 changes=[{"at":"2.5.2","status":"unaffected"}]

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Modular DS · Modular Connectorversion=n/a <=2.5.1 changes=[{"at":"2.5.2","status":"unaffected"}]

Published CVSS scores

9.8PatchstackCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/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 exploitationReported
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-266Incorrect Privilege Assignment
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

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

Reported exploitation

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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