CVE-2021-24194: wordpress wp-limit-failed-login-attempts Improper Authorization
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2021-24194 is a high (CVSS 8.8) Improper Authorization vulnerability in wordpress wp-limit-failed-login-attempts. EPSS estimates a 1.32% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 70.6% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded. Fixed in 2.9.
Timeline
- 14-05-2021PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 03-08-2024Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
Low privileged users can use the AJAX action 'cp_plugins_do_button_job_later_callback' in the Login Protection - Limit Failed Login Attempts WordPress plugin before 2.9, to install any plugin (including a specific version) from the WordPress repository, as well as activate arbitrary plugin from then blog, which helps attackers install vulnerable plugins and could lead to more critical vulnerabilities like RCE.
CVSS metrics
3 scores · 2 sources · 2 versions- wordfenceSource8.8HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS trend
Probability
1.32%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
71%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
0.00 pp
From 1.32% on 21-09-2026
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogsNot in any of the 3 tracked catalogs.
Public exploits
1 foundExploit Reference (wpscan.com)
Maturity: unknown
Weaknesses
CWE · root causeAffected systems
Wordpress1 product
- wp-limit-failed-login-attempts< 2.9
Wp-buy1 product
- login_protection_-_limit_failed_login_attempts≥ 2.9, < 2.9 | < 2.9
2 vendors · 2 products
References
2 links- wpscan.com/vulnerability/74889e29-5349-43d1-baf5-1622493be90cX Refsource CONFIRMExploitPatchThird Party Advisory