CVE-2026-97196 in GiveWP Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2026
Improper Validation of Unsafe Equivalence in Input vulnerability in Liquid Web / StellarWP GiveWP allows Authentication Bypass.
This issue affects GiveWP: from n/a through 4.16.9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2026
The vulnerability identified as Improper Validation of Unsafe Equivalence in Input within the GiveWP plugin represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that compromises the integrity of user access controls on WordPress sites utilizing this donation management software. This issue specifically affects versions from n/a through 4.16.9, indicating a long-standing exposure for users who have not applied timely updates or are operating legacy installations. The core technical defect lies in how the application processes input parameters during authentication sequences, where it fails to strictly validate equivalence checks against unsafe data types. In many PHP-based applications, this often manifests as an issue with loose comparison operators such as == instead of strict equality ===, allowing attackers to manipulate input values to bypass expected type constraints or hash comparisons. By exploiting this logical flaw, a malicious actor can forge authentication credentials that the system incorrectly accepts as valid, effectively granting unauthorized access without possessing legitimate user accounts or passwords.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its direct implication on confidentiality and integrity. An attacker who successfully exploits this improper validation mechanism gains administrative-level privileges within the GiveWP ecosystem. This level of access allows for the exfiltration of sensitive donor information, including personally identifiable information such as names, email addresses, payment details, and donation histories stored in the WordPress database. Furthermore, with full control over the plugin's configuration, an attacker can manipulate financial records, alter donation forms to redirect funds or capture additional data during checkout processes, and potentially use the compromised site as a vector for further attacks against visitors or other connected services. The ability to bypass authentication entirely removes the primary defense layer of the application, turning what should be a secure transactional platform into an open system vulnerable to abuse.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which describes Improper Authentication, and more specifically relates to issues involving weak cryptographic algorithms or improper validation of input data leading to privilege escalation. In terms of offensive security frameworks, this exploit maps directly to the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1078, Valid Accounts, where adversaries use legitimate credentials obtained through various means, including bypassing authentication mechanisms, to maintain access and move laterally within a network environment. The specific mechanism of unsafe equivalence validation also touches upon CWE-20, Improper Input Validation, highlighting the necessity for rigorous sanitization and type-checking procedures in all user-facing inputs that influence security decisions.
To mitigate this risk, immediate action is required by system administrators and developers managing GiveWP installations. The primary remediation step is to upgrade the GiveWP plugin to version 4.16.10 or any subsequent release where the vendor has patched the input validation logic and enforced strict type checking for authentication parameters. Organizations should also implement Web Application Firewalls configured with rulesets capable of detecting anomalous login attempts that exhibit patterns consistent with equivalence bypass attacks, such as repeated failures followed by sudden success from unusual IP addresses or user agents. Additionally, enforcing multi-factor authentication at the WordPress level adds a critical secondary layer of security that can mitigate the impact even if the application-level authentication is compromised. Regular auditing of plugin versions and adherence to strict patch management policies are essential practices to prevent exploitation of such known vulnerabilities in widely used open-source components.