CVE-2012-10001 in Limit Login Attempts Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/07/2021
The Limit Login Attempts plugin before 1.7.1 for WordPress does not clear auth cookies upon a lockout, which might make it easier for remote attackers to conduct brute-force authentication attempts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2026
The Limit Login Attempts plugin for WordPress represents a critical security vulnerability in the widely deployed content management system ecosystem where authentication mechanisms are paramount to system integrity. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 1.7.1 and stems from a fundamental flaw in how the plugin handles user session management during authentication lockout events. The core issue manifests when an attacker successfully identifies valid credentials through brute-force attempts, causing the plugin to lock out the user account. However, the plugin fails to properly invalidate existing authentication cookies that were established during the initial login process, creating a persistent session that remains active despite the account being locked out.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability creates a dangerous scenario where attackers can leverage previously established authenticated sessions to continue attempting authentication without triggering the intended security protections. This flaw directly relates to CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session management, and represents a significant weakness in the authentication flow that undermines the intended security controls. When an account is locked out due to excessive failed login attempts, the system should invalidate all existing sessions and authentication tokens to prevent any continued access attempts. The failure to clear auth cookies means that legitimate security measures implemented by the plugin become ineffective, as attackers can continue using valid session tokens even after their account has been locked.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple brute-force attacks to encompass broader security implications for WordPress installations that rely on this plugin for protection against unauthorized access attempts. Attackers can systematically work through credential combinations while maintaining access to previously established sessions, effectively bypassing the lockout mechanism that was designed to prevent such attacks. This creates a scenario where the plugin's intended protection becomes counterproductive, as it provides attackers with extended opportunities to conduct unauthorized access attempts without proper session termination. The vulnerability essentially undermines the principle of least privilege by allowing continued access to systems that should be secured against further authentication attempts.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a critical issue that requires immediate remediation through plugin updates to version 1.7.1 or later, where proper session invalidation has been implemented. The recommended mitigation strategy involves not only updating the plugin but also implementing additional security controls such as rate limiting at the web server level, implementing multi-factor authentication, and monitoring for unusual authentication patterns that might indicate ongoing brute-force attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing comprehensive session management policies that ensure proper token invalidation during authentication lockout events, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1110 which addresses credential access through brute force methods. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper session management in authentication systems and serves as a reminder that security controls must be comprehensive and properly implemented across all layers of the authentication stack.