CAPTCHA bypass via fail-open question_id validation
Published Aug 18, 2026 · Updated Aug 18, 2026
CAPTCHA bypass in MyBB before 1.8.40 allows remote attackers to submit registrations via a crafted Security Question value. In member.php?action=do_register, the registration flow accepts a hidden question_id field and fails open when that identifier is blank, forged, or expired, so no question error is added before the request continues. The flaw is reachable without authentication on forums that use the text-based Security Question CAPTCHA, and the observed impact is limited to bypassing that anti-automation check during registration.
Summary
What happened
CAPTCHA bypass in MyBB before 1.8.40 allows remote attackers to submit registrations via a crafted Security Question value. In member.php?action=do_register, the registration flow accepts a hidden question_id field and fails open when that identifier is blank, forged, or expired, so no question error is added before the request continues. The flaw is reachable without authentication on forums that use the text-based Security Question CAPTCHA, and the observed impact is limited to bypassing that anti-automation check during registration.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-46482
- Published
- Aug 18, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 18, 2026
- Vendor
- MyBB
- Product
- MyBB
- Classifications
- CWE-636
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 18, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 18, 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?
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- Affected versionversion=< 1.8.40
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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