CVE-2026-5130

Published: Mar 31, 2026 Last Modified: Mar 31, 2026
ExploitDB:
Other exploit source:
Google Dorks:
HIGH 8,8
Attack Vector: network
Attack Complexity: low
Privileges Required: low
User Interaction: none
Scope: unchanged
Confidentiality: high
Integrity: high
Availability: high

Description

AI Translation Available

The Debugger & Troubleshooter plugin for WordPress was vulnerable to Unauthenticated Privilege Escalation in versions up to and including 1.3.2. This was due to the plugin accepting the wp_debug_troubleshoot_simulate_user cookie value directly as a user ID without any cryptographic validation or authorization checks. The cookie value was used to override the determine_current_user filter, which allowed unauthenticated attackers to impersonate any user by simply setting the cookie to their target user ID. This made it possible for unauthenticated attackers to gain administrator-level access and perform any privileged actions including creating new administrator accounts, modifying site content, installing plugins, or taking complete control of the WordPress site. The vulnerability was fixed in version 1.4.0 by implementing a cryptographic token-based validation system where only administrators can initiate user simulation, and the cookie contains a random 64-character token that must be validated against database-stored mappings rather than accepting arbitrary user IDs.

565

Reliance on Cookies without Validation and Integrity Checking

Incomplete
Common Consequences
Security Scopes Affected:
Confidentiality Integrity Availability Access Control
Potential Impacts:
Modify Application Data Execute Unauthorized Code Or Commands Gain Privileges Or Assume Identity
Applicable Platforms
All platforms may be affected
View CWE Details
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/debugger-troubleshooter/tags/1.3.2/d…
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/debugger-troubleshooter/tags/1.3.2/d…
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3486202/debugger-troubleshooter/tr…
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/3e037931-870f-45eb-97…