CVE-2026-18468 in Login & Register Forms Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/10/2026
The Login & Register Forms WordPress plugin before 4.0.2 does not bind the password reset verification state to the account being reset or to the party that completed the verification, keying it instead on a value the client controls, allowing unauthenticated attackers to take over the account of any user who recently completed a reset verification, including an administrator.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2026
The vulnerability in the Login & Register Forms WordPress plugin affects versions prior to 4.0.2 and represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security of password reset functionality. This issue stems from improper state management during the password reset verification process where the system relies on client-controlled values rather than server-side binding mechanisms. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit the verification state by manipulating parameters that should remain tied to specific user accounts and verification parties, creating a pathway for unauthorized account takeover.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's failure to properly associate reset verification states with authenticated user sessions or specific account identifiers. Instead of binding the verification state to cryptographic tokens tied to the target account or the party completing verification, the system uses values that can be controlled by any client who intercepts or predicts the reset flow parameters. This design flaw creates a race condition where attackers can reuse valid verification tokens or manipulate session states to complete resets for accounts they do not control, particularly targeting administrators whose credentials are highly valuable.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to WordPress installations using the affected plugin as it enables attackers to achieve full administrative control without requiring legitimate credentials. The impact extends beyond simple account compromise since administrators often possess elevated privileges that allow manipulation of website content, user management, and access to sensitive data. This attack vector can be particularly devastating in environments where multiple administrators exist or when the compromised administrator has access to critical systems integrated with the WordPress platform.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-384, which addresses session binding issues where application state is not properly tied to authenticated sessions or user accounts, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.002 for credential theft through password reset attacks. Security practitioners should recognize this as a critical vulnerability requiring immediate patching since it fundamentally undermines the integrity of the authentication system by allowing attackers to bypass the verification step entirely. The remediation approach must focus on implementing proper state binding mechanisms that tie verification tokens to specific user accounts and prevent reuse across different sessions or users.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate upgrade to plugin version 4.0.2 or later, implementation of additional authentication layers such as two-factor authentication, and monitoring for suspicious password reset activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing rate limiting on password reset requests and ensuring that verification tokens are generated using cryptographically secure random number generators with appropriate expiration times. The fix typically involves modifying the plugin's internal state management to ensure that verification outcomes are properly bound to specific user accounts and that the system validates the authenticity of verification requests before completing any account modifications.