Log in Start free

Vulnerability · Published Jul 15, 2026 · Assigned by WPScan

CVE-2026-12281Shibboleth < 2.5.4 - Unauthenticated Administrator Account Creation via Identity Header Spoofing

High 8.1

In plain English

A high-severity improper authentication in Shibboleth from Unknown. There are no confirmed reports of exploitation so far. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.4% (higher than 33% of all known vulnerabilities).

Severity (CVSS 3.1)8.1High
Exploit odds (30 days)0.4%top 67.4% of all CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo reportsCISA SSVC: none
Attack toolingNoneno public tooling known

Official description

The Shibboleth WordPress plugin before 2.5.4 does not fail closed when its HTTP header identity mode is enabled without an anti-spoofing key, treating any request that carries identity headers as an authenticated session without verifying them. On a deployment where untrusted client headers reach the application, an unauthenticated attacker can log in with forged identity headers and, when automatic account creation and the default administrator role mapping are enabled, create and sign in as a new administrator. Exploitation requires the non-default HTTP header attribute mode, an empty or absent spoof key, automatic account creation enabled, and a deployment that does not strip untrusted client headers before they reach the application.

Affected products (as reported)

VendorProductVersions
Unknown Shibboleth 0 – before 2.5.4

Weakness: CWE-287 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

References