ExactMetrics <= 9.1.2 - Authenticated (Editor+) Arbitrary Plugin Installation/Activation via exactmetrics_connect_process
Strategic Overview
- Status
- Patched in 9.1.3
- Affected Version
<= 9.1.2- CVSS
- 7.2High
- Weakness type
- CWE-862 · Missing Authorization
- CVE
CVE-2026-5464
At a glance
CVE-2026-5464 is a high-severity Missing Authorization vulnerability in the ExactMetrics WordPress plugin, affecting versions <= 9.1.2. It carries a CVSS score of 7.2 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity; high confidentiality, integrity, availability impact). Exploitation requires an authenticated account at Editor level or above. The issue is fixed in version 9.1.3; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed April 2026, reported by Nguyen Ngoc Duc (duc193).
Vulnerability Overview
The ExactMetrics – Google Analytics Dashboard for WordPress (Website Stats Plugin) plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized arbitrary plugin installation and activation in all versions up to, and including, 9.1.2. This is due to the reports page exposing the 'onboarding_key' transient to any user with the 'exactmetrics_view_dashboard' capability. This key is the sole authorization gate for the '/wp-json/exactmetrics/v1/onboarding/connect-url' REST endpoint, which returns a one-time hash (OTH) token. This OTH token is then the only credential checked by the 'exactmetrics_connect_process' AJAX endpoint — which has no capability check, no nonce verification, and accepts an arbitrary plugin ZIP URL via the file parameter for installation and activation. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Editor-level access and above granted the report viewing permission, to install and activate arbitrary plugins from attacker-controlled URLs, leading to Remote Code Execution.
Technical Analysis
The vector marks this flaw as remotely reachable over the network, with low attack complexity — no special timing or configuration is needed, and no interaction from a victim user. A successful exploit has high impact on confidentiality, integrity, availability — full site compromise territory.
CWE-862: Missing Authorization
ExactMetrics <= 9.1.2 carries this weakness at onboarding_key, and reaching it takes an account at Editor level or above. A missing authorization check means a function is reachable by anyone who can reach the endpoint, because the code never asks whether the caller is allowed to perform the action.
Any user who can reach the endpoint gets to run an action reserved for higher-privileged roles, from reading protected data to changing settings or content. For ExactMetrics the fix is 9.1.3: builds <= 9.1.2 are affected, anything from 9.1.3 onward is not.
Remediation
Update to version 9.1.3, or a newer patched version
How does WordSec protect against this?
Because it turns on account access, WordSec's login security is the relevant layer: role-based two-factor, captcha and brute-force limits raise the cost of getting the account this needs. None of that substitutes for the fix: ExactMetrics 9.1.3 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.
- Login Security
- Alerts
External References
Related records
Same weakness class
Other vulnerabilities in ExactMetrics – Google Analytics Dashboard for WordPress (Website Stats Plugin)
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