CVE-2026-14559 in teddy-bear-customize-addon Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/11/2026
The teddy-bear-customize-addon WordPress plugin through 1.0.5 does not verify a user's password before authenticating them, allowing unauthenticated attackers to log in as any registered user, including administrators, by supplying only that user's email address.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2026
The vulnerability identified within the teddy-bear-customize-addon WordPress plugin versions through 1.0.5 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw rooted in improper verification of user credentials during the login process. This security defect allows unauthenticated attackers to assume the identity of any registered user on the affected system without possessing valid password hashes or tokens. The core technical failure lies in the application's logic, which accepts an email address as sufficient proof of identity for authentication purposes while completely omitting the mandatory step of verifying a corresponding password. By supplying only the target user's email address to the login endpoint, an attacker can successfully bypass standard access controls and gain active session privileges associated with that account. This behavior deviates fundamentally from secure design principles which dictate that multi-factor verification or at least two distinct pieces of evidence must be presented before granting system access.
From a technical perspective, this flaw is classified under CWE-287, which denotes Improper Authentication. The application fails to adequately verify the presence and validity of credentials required for authentication, specifically neglecting the password component that serves as the primary secret known only to legitimate users. In typical WordPress environments, user accounts are protected by hashed passwords stored in the database, requiring a cryptographic verification step during login attempts. By skipping this validation, the plugin exposes all registered accounts to immediate compromise. This is particularly dangerous because email addresses are often considered public or semi-public information within social media and professional networks, making them easily discoverable for reconnaissance purposes. Consequently, an attacker does not need to perform complex password cracking attacks such as brute force or dictionary attacks; they can directly impersonate users simply by knowing their contact details.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to the potential elevation of privileges available through WordPress's role-based access control system. If a registered administrator account is targeted, an attacker gains full administrative control over the entire website infrastructure. This level of access allows for complete compromise of the underlying server environment, including the ability to install malicious plugins, modify core files, inject backdoors, and exfiltrate sensitive database contents containing personal identifiable information from other users or customers. Even if only standard subscriber accounts are compromised, attackers can still perform actions such as posting spam content, manipulating user profiles, stealing private messages, or using the trusted identity of the victim to launch phishing campaigns against their contacts. The lack of password verification effectively nullifies the security boundary between unauthenticated guests and authenticated users, turning any registered email address into a direct key for system entry.
This vulnerability aligns with several tactics in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically T1078 Valid Accounts, which describes adversaries using legitimate credentials to access resources without needing to exploit software vulnerabilities or guess passwords. It also relates to T1528 Steal Application Access Token if session tokens are generated and reused improperly following this bypass. The ease of exploitation means that automated scanning tools can rapidly identify vulnerable instances by iterating through known email addresses associated with WordPress sites, leading to widespread compromise across the internet infrastructure hosting these plugins.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate remediation and defensive hardening. The most effective solution is to update the teddy-bear-customize-addon plugin to a version later than 1.0.5 where this authentication logic has been corrected to require password verification alongside email input. For organizations unable to patch immediately, disabling user enumeration features can reduce the risk by making it harder for attackers to discover valid email addresses associated with accounts on the site. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication adds a layer of security that would remain effective even if an attacker successfully bypasses the primary credential check, as they would still lack the second factor required for login. Security monitoring should also be enhanced to detect unusual login patterns, such as multiple successful authentications from different IP addresses using only email identifiers, which may indicate ongoing exploitation attempts against this specific flaw.