CVE-2026-3140 in Ultimate Dashboard Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/01/2026
The Ultimate Dashboard plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in all versions up to, and including, 3.8.14. This is due to a flawed nonce validation conditional in the 'handle_module_actions' function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to toggle plugin modules on or off via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2026
The Ultimate Dashboard plugin for WordPress represents a significant security vulnerability through its implementation of Cross-Site Request Forgery protection mechanisms. This flaw affects all versions up to and including 3.8.14, creating a persistent risk for WordPress installations that rely on this plugin for dashboard customization and module management. The vulnerability stems from a fundamental weakness in the nonce validation process within the handle_module_actions function, which serves as the primary interface for managing plugin modules through user interactions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the handle_module_actions function where the nonce validation logic fails to properly verify the authenticity of requests. This conditional flaw allows attackers to bypass the expected security checks that should prevent unauthorized modifications to plugin modules. The nonce mechanism, which is designed to ensure that requests originate from legitimate administrative actions, becomes ineffective due to the flawed conditional logic that governs when and how these validations occur. This creates a scenario where an attacker can construct malicious requests that appear to come from authenticated administrative sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables attackers to manipulate core plugin functionality without authentication. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this weakness to toggle plugin modules on or off, potentially disabling critical security features or enabling malicious functionality. The attack vector requires social engineering to trick administrators into performing actions such as clicking on malicious links, but once successful, the attacker can make persistent changes to the plugin configuration that may affect site security, performance, or availability. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity of WordPress administrative operations and undermines the trust model that should protect plugin configurations.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications, and demonstrates how improper validation of request authenticity can lead to unauthorized administrative actions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this represents a technique for privilege escalation and persistence through the manipulation of web application configurations. Organizations using this plugin face potential exposure to malicious module toggling that could compromise their security posture, particularly if administrators are tricked into clicking on malicious links. The attack requires minimal technical expertise to execute but can result in significant operational disruption or security compromise.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate plugin updates to versions that address the nonce validation flaw, as well as implementing additional security measures such as two-factor authentication for administrative accounts and regular monitoring of plugin configuration changes. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block suspicious requests. Administrators should also implement security awareness training to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that exploit this vulnerability, and consider implementing additional access controls to limit who can perform administrative actions on the WordPress site. Regular security audits of installed plugins and their configurations remain essential for maintaining a secure WordPress environment.