Facebook Chat Plugin <= 1.5 - Missing Capabilities Check
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · Low · Low
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-284.
Summary
The Facebook Chat Plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authorization bypass due to a missing capability check on the wp_ajax_update_options function in versions up to, and including, 1.5. This flaw makes it possible for low-level authenticated attackers to connect their own Facebook Messenger account to any site running the vulnerable plugin and engage in chats with site visitors on affected sites.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Facebook Chat Plugin – Live Chat Plugin for WordPress (facebook) Fixed in 1.6
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2020-36838
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-jw54-249h-29hc
References
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Sources
- CVE-2020-36838 · CVE Program
- CVE-2020-36838 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-jw54-249h-29hc · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences