CVE-2026-118185

Security Optimizer <= 1.6.8 - Two-Factor Authentication via Brute Force

2026-10-29 00:00

Strategic Overview

Status: Patched in 1.6.9
Affected Plugin: Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin
Affected Version: <= 1.6.8
CVSS: 4.3Medium
Weakness type: CWE-307 · Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts
CVE: CVE-2026-118185

View all Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin vulnerabilities

At a glance

CVE-2026-118185 is a medium-severity Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts vulnerability in the Security Optimizer WordPress plugin, affecting versions <= 1.6.8. It carries a CVSS score of 4.3 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity). The issue is fixed in version 1.6.9; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed October 2026, reported by Karthik Ramakrishnan.

Vulnerability Overview

The Security Optimizer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Two-Factor Authentication Bypass in all versions up to, and including, 1.6.8. This is due to missing rate-limiting on 2FA code submission endpoints, allowing unlimited guesses without triggering the existing login-attempt throttle. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to brute-force the two-factor authentication code submitted during a pending login challenge and gain unauthorized access to accounts. Two-factor authentication must be enabled for the target user role in the plugin settings, and the attacker must already know the target user's password.

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.

CWE-307: Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts

The product does not implement sufficient measures to prevent multiple failed authentication attempts within a short time frame.

Remediation

Update to version 1.6.9, or a newer patched version

How does WordSec protect against this?

The fix is the thing that ends this: Security Optimizer 1.6.9 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.

Alerts

External References

https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-118185 https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/f35a85de-c24c-4078-88fe-6b686dff57c9 https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-118185

Related records

Other vulnerabilities in Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin

CVSS Vector

4.3

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N

Base

Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges RequiredLow
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityLow
AvailabilityNone

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