WordPress up to 3.7.1/3.8.1 Authentication Cookies pluggable.php wp_validate_auth_cookie improper authentication

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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4.1$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in WordPress up to 3.7.1/3.8.1. The impacted element is the function wp_validate_auth_cookie of the file wp-includes/pluggable.php of the component Authentication Cookies Handler. Such manipulation leads to improper authentication. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2014-0166. The attack can be executed remotely. There is not any exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in WordPress up to 3.7.1/3.8.1 (Content Management System) and classified as problematic. Affected by this issue is the function wp_validate_auth_cookie of the file wp-includes/pluggable.php of the component Authentication Cookies Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a improper authentication vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-287. When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct. Impacted is integrity. CVE summarizes:

The wp_validate_auth_cookie function in wp-includes/pluggable.php in WordPress before 3.7.2 and 3.8.x before 3.8.2 does not properly determine the validity of authentication cookies, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access via a forged cookie.

The weakness was released 04/08/2014 by Jon Cave (edik) with WordPress Security Team as WordPress 3.8.2 Security Release as confirmed news (Website). The advisory is available at wordpress.org. The public release was coordinated with the vendor. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2014-0166 since 12/03/2013. The attack may be launched remotely. No form of authentication is required for exploitation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit.

By approaching the search of inurl:wp-includes/pluggable.php it is possible to find vulnerable targets with Google Hacking. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 73485 (Debian DSA-2901-1 : wordpress - security update), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Debian Local Security Checks. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 12914 (WordPress Versions Prior to 3.7.2 and 3.8.2 Multiple Security Vulnerabilities).

Upgrading to version 3.7.2, 3.8.2 or 3.9rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. The upgrade is hosted for download at wordpress.org. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (92515), Tenable (73485), SecurityFocus (BID 66765†), Secunia (SA57769†) and SecurityTracker (ID 1030071†). codex.wordpress.org is providing further details. Entries connected to this vulnerability are available at VDB-12868 and VDB-12867. If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.1

VulDB Base Score: 4.3
VulDB Temp Score: 4.1
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Improper authentication
CWE: CWE-287
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined
Google Hack: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 73485
Nessus Name: Debian DSA-2901-1 : wordpress - security update
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 867733
OpenVAS Name: Fedora Update for wordpress FEDORA-2014-5028
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Upgrade: WordPress 3.7.2/3.8.2/3.9rc1

Timelineinfo

12/03/2013 🔍
04/08/2014 +126 days 🔍
04/08/2014 +0 days 🔍
04/08/2014 +0 days 🔍
04/08/2014 +0 days 🔍
04/09/2014 +1 days 🔍
04/10/2014 +1 days 🔍
04/11/2014 +1 days 🔍
04/11/2014 +0 days 🔍
04/20/2014 +9 days 🔍
05/10/2026 +4403 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Product: wordpress.com

Advisory: WordPress 3.8.2 Security Release
Researcher: Jon Cave (edik)
Organization: WordPress Security Team
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍
Coordinated: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2014-0166 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2014-0166
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-12866

OVAL: 🔍
IAVM: 🔍

X-Force: 92515
SecurityFocus: 66765 - WordPress Multiple Security Vulnerabilities
Secunia: 57769 - WordPress Multiple Vulnerabilities, Moderately Critical
SecurityTracker: 1030071 - WordPress Bugs Let Remote Users Bypass Authentication and Remote Authenticated Users Gain Elevated Privileges
Vulnerability Center: 44158 - WordPress Before 3.8.2 and 3.7.2 Remote Unauthorized Access due to an Error in the wp_validate_auth_cookie Function, Medium

Misc.: 🔍
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 04/11/2014 09:55
Updated: 05/10/2026 05:04
Changes: 04/11/2014 09:55 (90), 05/25/2017 19:10 (7), 06/16/2021 19:41 (3), 05/10/2026 05:04 (15)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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