CVE-2026-25471 in Admin Safety Guard Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/19/2026
Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerability in Themepaste Admin Safety Guard allows Password Recovery Exploitation.This issue affects Admin Safety Guard: from n/a through 1.2.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-25471 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the Themepaste Admin Safety Guard plugin, specifically targeting the password recovery mechanism. This weakness enables unauthorized attackers to circumvent the standard authentication process by leveraging an alternate path or channel, fundamentally undermining the security controls designed to protect administrative access. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's implementation of password recovery functionality, where proper validation checks fail to prevent unauthorized access attempts.
This authentication bypass vulnerability operates through a channel that deviates from the intended authentication flow, allowing malicious actors to exploit the system's recovery mechanisms without proper authorization. The flaw manifests when the system fails to adequately verify user credentials or session states during the password recovery process, creating a potential entry point for unauthorized individuals to gain administrative privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of the Admin Safety Guard plugin ranging from the initial release through version 1.2.6, indicating that the flaw has persisted across multiple iterations of the software.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with potential administrative control over affected systems. When an attacker successfully exploits this bypass, they can manipulate user accounts, modify system configurations, and potentially access sensitive data. The consequences can include complete system compromise, data breaches, and unauthorized modifications to critical system components. The vulnerability's presence in the password recovery mechanism is particularly concerning as it targets one of the most frequently used and trusted system functions, making exploitation more likely and potentially more damaging.
Security researchers categorize this vulnerability under CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which describes valid accounts usage through compromised credentials, as attackers can potentially leverage this bypass to establish persistent access. Organizations using affected versions of the Themepaste Admin Safety Guard plugin face significant risk, particularly in environments where administrative privileges provide access to sensitive data and critical system functions. The vulnerability's exploitation potential makes it a high-priority concern for security teams managing WordPress installations and other platforms utilizing this plugin.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrade to the latest version of the Admin Safety Guard plugin where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper authentication controls and input validation. Additionally, administrators should implement additional security measures including multi-factor authentication, monitoring for unusual login patterns, and regular security audits of authentication mechanisms. Network segmentation and access control policies should be reviewed to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing automated scanning tools to detect and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their software portfolio. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper authentication implementation and the potential consequences when these controls fail.