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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2026-14262 nicu_m CVE debrief

The Simple JWT Login – Allows you to use JWT on REST endpoints. plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Authentication Bypass to Privilege Escalation. The vulnerability exists because `AuthenticateService::generatePayload()` only overwrites JWT payload keys whose names appear in the admin-configured `jwt_payload` list — leaving any attacker-supplied identity claims such as `email`, `id`, or `username` intact and signed into the JWT with the site's HS256 secret.

Vendor
nicu_m
Product
Simple JWT Login – Allows you to use JWT on REST endpoints.
CVSS
HIGH 8.8
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-07-11
Original CVE updated
2026-07-13
Advisory published
2026-07-11
Advisory updated
2026-07-13

Who should care

WordPress users with the Simple JWT Login plugin installed, particularly those with subscriber-level access and above, should be aware of this vulnerability and take immediate action to protect their sites.

Technical summary

The Simple JWT Login plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Authentication Bypass to Privilege Escalation in all versions up to, and including, 3.6.6. An attacker can escalate their privileges to that of an Administrator by injecting a target administrator's email address into the `payload` parameter at the `/wp-json/simple-jwt-login/v1/auth` endpoint, then redeeming the resulting JWT at the `/autologin` endpoint to obtain a fully authenticated session as that administrator.

Defensive priority

High priority due to the high CVSS score of 8.8 and the potential for privilege escalation.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Update the Simple JWT Login plugin to a version that fixes the vulnerability
  • Restrict access to the `/wp-json/simple-jwt-login/v1/auth` and `/autologin` endpoints
  • Monitor for suspicious activity on your WordPress site
  • Consider implementing additional security measures such as IP blocking or rate limiting
  • Review the configuration of the `jwt_payload` list to ensure it does not include sensitive information
  • Verify that all users with subscriber-level access and above are aware of this vulnerability and take necessary precautions
  • Perform a thorough review of the plugin's code to identify any potential security issues

Evidence notes

The vulnerability was reported by [email protected] and is described in detail on the Wordfence website. The CVE record was published on 2026-07-11T05:16:32.367Z and has not been modified since then.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-14262 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-14262

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-14262 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-14262

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/simple-jwt-login/tags/3.6.6/src/Services/AuthenticateService.php

    [email protected]

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/simple-jwt-login/tags/3.6.6/src/Services/AuthenticateService.php

    [email protected]

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/simple-jwt-login/tags/3.6.6/src/Services/BaseService.php

    [email protected]

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/simple-jwt-login/tags/3.6.6/src/Services/LoginService.php

    [email protected]

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.