CVE-2026-57697 in ProfileGrid Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/13/2026
Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerability in Metagauss ProfileGrid profilegrid-user-profiles-groups-and-communities allows Password Recovery Exploitation.This issue affects ProfileGrid : from n/a through <= 5.9.9.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2026
This authentication bypass vulnerability in Metagauss ProfileGrid represents a critical security flaw that allows unauthorized access through alternative pathways during the password recovery process. The vulnerability exists within the profilegrid-user-profiles-groups-and-communities component and affects versions ranging from the initial release through version 5.9.9.6, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to compromise user accounts. The flaw stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that permit attackers to bypass normal authentication procedures by exploiting alternate channels during password recovery operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in access control enforcement where the system does not properly verify user identities when alternative recovery paths are utilized. This weakness can be categorized under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, specifically targeting the inadequate validation of authentication requests through non-standard channels. Attackers can exploit this by manipulating the password recovery workflow to gain unauthorized access to user accounts without proper authentication credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple account compromise as it enables attackers to potentially access sensitive user data, modify profile information, and perform actions within the system that should be restricted to authorized users only. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which describes legitimate credentials use for persistence and privilege escalation within compromised systems. The vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor through which attackers can maintain access even after normal authentication mechanisms are restored.
Organizations utilizing ProfileGrid versions within the affected range face substantial risk of credential compromise and potential data breaches, as this vulnerability allows attackers to bypass standard security controls designed to protect user accounts during recovery processes. The attack vector typically involves manipulating the password reset functionality to force account access through alternate pathways that do not require proper authentication verification. This creates a dangerous scenario where legitimate users may experience service disruption while unauthorized parties gain unauthorized access to sensitive profile information and community data.
Recommended mitigations include immediate implementation of version updates to 5.9.9.7 or later, which contain patches addressing the authentication bypass vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement enhanced monitoring for unusual password recovery attempts and establish more robust validation mechanisms that verify all recovery requests through multiple authentication factors. Security teams should also consider implementing rate limiting on recovery requests and additional verification steps to prevent automated exploitation of this vulnerability. The fix addresses the core issue by strengthening access control checks during alternative authentication pathways, ensuring that all recovery mechanisms require proper verification before granting access to user accounts.