CVE-2026-12281

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

Published Jul 15, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 8.1 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
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.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

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History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Shibboleth
Shibboleth shibboleth
Wordpress
Wordpress wordpress
Vendors & Products Shibboleth
Shibboleth shibboleth
Wordpress
Wordpress wordpress
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-287
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
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.
Title Shibboleth < 2.5.4 - Unauthenticated Administrator Account Creation via Identity Header Spoofing
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
WPScan
Published
Updated
Jul 15, 2026, 10:30 AM
Reserved
Jun 15, 2026, 12:45 PM
Status
Deferred
Published
Jul 15, 2026, 6:16 AM
Modified
Jul 15, 2026, 7:50 PM