SMS Alert WordPress plugin lets attackers reset any account password
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- High
- Impact type
- Privilege escalation
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CISA ADP. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-269.
Summary
The SMS Alert WordPress plugin from 3.9.6 before 4.0.3 does not bind the account whose password is changed to the phone number verified during its OTP password reset. This is an improper privilege management flaw (CWE-269). An unauthenticated remote attacker can verify a one-time code sent to a phone number they control and set a new password on any account, including an administrator. A public exploit is linked in the references.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-06
Description from the CNA
The SMS Alert WordPress plugin before 4.0.3 does not bind the account whose password is being changed to the phone number that was actually verified during its OTP password reset, allowing unauthenticated attackers to set a new password on an arbitrary account, including an administrator, by verifying a one-time code sent to a phone number they control.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- Yes
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown | SMS Alert | 3.9.6 to before 4.0.3 | 4.0.3 | Patch available | CNA |
- SMS Alert VendorUnknown Affected 3.9.6 to before 4.0.3 Fixed in 4.0.3 Patch available CNA
Remediation
Update the SMS Alert plugin to version 4.0.3, which fixes the flaw.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-06
- Fix · CNA SMS Alert (Unknown) Fixed in 4.0.3
Timeline
- 2026-10-10 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-94257
- 2026-10-10 Alias added: GHSA-vphv-2c5j-m636
- 2026-10-11 CVSS score added · CISA ADP
- 2026-10-11 Weakness changed · CISA ADP
- 2026-10-11 CISA SSVC decision points changed
- 2026-10-11 Priority changed: LOW → MEDIUM
- 2026-11-06 Title updated · CNA
- 2026-11-06 Fix available: Unknown/SMS [email protected] · CNA
References
Sources
- CVE-2026-94257 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-94257 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-vphv-2c5j-m636 · 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