CVE-2026-118185: Auth Bypass (CVSS 7.5)

Description

The Security Optimizer WordPress plugin before 1.6.9 does not limit the number of two-factor authentication codes that can be submitted for a pending login, allowing an attacker who already knows a user's password to brute force the second factor and take over the account.

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CVSS v3.1 Score

7.5

HIGH

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS — Exploit Prediction

0.0029

Probability of exploitation

0.21%

Percentile rank

EPSS estimates the probability that this vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days. A higher score means more likely to be exploited.

Weakness Type (CWE)

CWE-287 Improper Authentication

References

Other References

https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/253fe868-0e85-496f-8b01-a8b5107db217/

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-118185? +

The Security Optimizer WordPress plugin before 1.6.9 does not limit the number of two-factor authentication codes that can be submitted for a pending login, allowing an attacker who already knows a user's password to brute force the second factor and take over the account. It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (HIGH).

How severe is CVE-2026-118185? +

CVE-2026-118185 has a CVSS v3.1 score of 7.5 out of 10, rated HIGH. This is a high-severity vulnerability that should be prioritized for patching. The EPSS score is 0.0029, placing it in the 0th percentile for exploitation probability.

How do I check if I'm vulnerable to CVE-2026-118185? +

You can use Secably's free Website Scanner to check your website for known vulnerabilities. For infrastructure scanning, use the Port Scanner to identify exposed services that may be affected. Check the vendor advisories linked above for specific patch and version information.

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