CVE-2026-16310 in MemberDash Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/06/2026
The MemberDash plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Insecure Direct Object Reference in all versions up to, and including, 1.8.5 via the 'id' parameter due to missing validation on a user controlled key. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to change the password of any WordPress user, including administrators, by supplying an arbitrary user ID during registration, and take over their account without any notification sent to the victim.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2026
The MemberDash plugin for WordPress contains a critical security flaw classified as an Insecure Direct Object Reference, specifically identified under CWE-639 in industry standards. This vulnerability exists within versions up to 1.8.5 and stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input during the registration process. The core technical issue lies in the handling of the 'id' parameter, which is intended to reference a specific user account but lacks proper authorization checks or integrity verification mechanisms. Because the application trusts this client-side provided identifier without verifying that the requesting entity has legitimate ownership or administrative rights over the referenced object, it creates an open pathway for unauthorized manipulation of user data.
From an operational perspective, this flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit the registration endpoint by supplying arbitrary user IDs rather than generating new accounts as intended. By manipulating the 'id' parameter during what appears to be a standard account creation flow, an attacker can effectively hijack existing user profiles. The most severe consequence of this exploitation is the ability to change the password associated with any WordPress user account, including those belonging to high-privilege administrators. This action results in complete account takeover without triggering security notifications or alerts for the victim, thereby allowing persistent unauthorized access while remaining undetected by system monitoring tools and site owners.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft. Since administrative accounts can be compromised silently, attackers gain full control over the WordPress installation. This includes the ability to modify website content, install malicious plugins or themes, exfiltrate sensitive database information, and potentially pivot to attack other systems within the network infrastructure. The lack of notification mechanisms means that victims remain unaware of the breach until significant damage has occurred, complicating incident response efforts and increasing the window of exposure for critical data assets.
To mitigate this vulnerability, immediate action is required by upgrading the MemberDash plugin to a version later than 1.8.5 where these input validation checks have been implemented. In addition to updating software, administrators should enforce strict server-side validation on all user-supplied identifiers, ensuring that operations are bound to authenticated sessions and authorized scopes. Implementing multi-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security that can mitigate the impact of stolen credentials. Furthermore, deploying a Web Application Firewall with rules tailored to detect anomalous registration patterns or ID manipulation attempts can provide defense-in-depth against exploitation of this specific flaw aligned with MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to account manipulation and privilege escalation.