CVE-2026-12417

CVE-2026-12417 is a critical-severity vulnerability with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-640.

Key facts

Description

The SignUp & SignIn plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Authentication Bypass via Weak Password Reset Validation leading to Account Takeover in versions up to, and including, 1.0.0. This is due to the `pravel_change_password()` AJAX handler — registered via `wp_ajax_nopriv_pravel_change_password` and therefore accessible to unauthenticated users — performing no nonce verification, no capability check, and only a loose equality check between an attacker-supplied `reset_activation_code` POST parameter and the target user's `forgot_email` user meta value; when a user has never initiated a password reset, `get_user_meta()` returns an empty string that trivially satisfies this check against an omitted or empty attacker-supplied code. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to change the password of any WordPress user, including administrators, by sending a crafted POST request to `admin-ajax.php` with `action=pravel_change_password`, `reset_user_id` set to the target account's user ID, and `new_password_custom` set to an attacker-chosen password. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to authenticate with the newly set password and fully take over the targeted account, achieving administrator-level privilege escalation on the affected site.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-12417?
The SignUp & SignIn plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Authentication Bypass via Weak Password Reset Validation leading to Account Takeover in versions up to, and including, 1.0.0. This is due to the `pravel_change_password()` AJAX handler — registered via `wp_ajax_nopriv_pravel_change_password` and therefore accessible to unauthenticated users — performing no nonce verification, no capability check, and only a loose equality check between an attacker-supplied `reset_activation_code` POST parameter and the target user's `forgot_email` user meta value; when a user has never initiated a password reset, `get_user_meta()` returns an empty string that trivially satisfies this check against an omitted or empty attacker-supplied code. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to change the password of any WordPress user, including administrators, by sending a crafted POST request to `admin-ajax.php` with `action=pravel_change_password`, `reset_user_id` set to the target account's user ID, and `new_password_custom` set to an attacker-chosen password. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to authenticate with the newly set password and fully take over the targeted account, achieving administrator-level privilege escalation on the affected site.
How severe is CVE-2026-12417?
CVE-2026-12417 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2026-12417 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (36th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2026-12417?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
Does CVE-2026-12417 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
Yes. CVE-2026-12417 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-38679.
When was CVE-2026-12417 published?
CVE-2026-12417 was published on 2026-06-24 and last updated on 2026-06-29.

References

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