Advanced Google reCAPTCHA: Privilege escalation or authentication bypass
Advanced Google reCAPTCHA is affected by privilege escalation or authentication bypass. Exploitation requires at least subscriber-level access. A successful request can grant permissions or access that the caller should not possess. The published affected range is <= 5.38.
- Component
- Advanced Google reCAPTCHA
- Plugin slug
advanced-google-recaptcha- Affected
- <= 5.38
- Safe version
> 5.38- Published
- Jun 05, 2026
This CVE was published Jun 05, 2026 and is one of 5 known issues for this plugin.
Update, patch or deactivate.
Update Advanced Google reCAPTCHA to a release after 5.38, or disable and remove it until a fixed version is available.
A safe version is available, so updating to that version or later is the preferred remediation. If an immediate update is not practical, consider a targeted application patch or temporarily restricting the affected functionality.
Deactivate only when warranted by your risk profile, or when advised by your hosting provider in the limited circumstances where the vulnerability cannot otherwise be mitigated. If you’re unsure which action is appropriate, contact Fused or your hosting provider for guidance.
Technical description
The WP Captcha PRO (the premium version of the Advanced Google reCAPTCHA plugin, both have the same slug) plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Authentication Bypass in all versions up to, and including, 5.38. This is due to the ajax_run_tool() AJAX handler relying solely on a nonce check (check_ajax_referer) for security without performing any capability check, combined with the create_temporary_link tool allowing the generation of passwordless login links for arbitrary users, and the handle_temporary_links() function authenticating visitors via these links without any additional authorization validation. The required nonce is exposed to all authenticated backend users (including Subscribers) via wp_localize_script() on all non-settings admin pages when the plugin's welcome pointer has not been dismissed. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to bypass normal authentication and log in as any user, including Administrators, resulting in complete account takeover.
CVE / CNA vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H