Detections
Analytics
WordPress < 2.8.4 'wp-login.php' 'key' Parameter Remote Administrator Password Reset (uncredentialed check)
medium Nessus Plugin ID 40578
Language:
Synopsis
The remote web server contains a PHP application that is affected by a security bypass vulnerability.Description
According to its version number, the version of WordPress running on the remote server has a flaw in the password reset mechanism.Validation of the secret user activation key can be bypassed by providing an array instead of a string. This allows anyone to reset the password of the first user in the database, which is usually the administrator. A remote attacker can use this to repeatedly reset the password, leading to a denial of service condition.
Solution
Upgrade to WordPress 2.8.4 or later.See Also
https://core.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/11798
Plugin Details
Severity: Medium
ID: 40578
File Name: wordpress_password_reset_ver.nasl
Version: 1.22
Type: Remote
Family: CGI abuses
Published: 8/12/2009
Updated: 5/14/2025
Configuration: Enable paranoid mode
Supported Sensors: Nessus
Enable CGI Scanning: true
Risk Information
VPR
Risk Factor: Medium
Score: 4.3
Percentile: 53.06
CVSS v2
Risk Factor: Medium
Base Score: 6.4
Temporal Score: 5
Vector: CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:P
Vulnerability Information
CPE: cpe:/a:wordpress:wordpress
Required KB Items: installed_sw/WordPress, www/PHP, Settings/ParanoidReport
Exploit Ease: No exploit is required
Patch Publication Date: 8/12/2009
Vulnerability Publication Date: 8/10/2009
Reference Information
CVE: CVE-2009-2762
BID: 36014