The Shibboleth WordPress plugin before 2.5.4 does not fail closed when its HTTP header identity mode is enabled without an anti-spoofing key, treating any request that carries identity headers as an authenticated session without verifying them. On a deployment where untrusted client headers reach the application, an unauthenticated attacker can log in with forged identity headers and, when automatic account creation and the default administrator role mapping are enabled, create and sign in as a new administrator. Exploitation requires the non-default HTTP header attribute mode, an empty or absent spoof key, automatic account creation enabled, and a deployment that does not strip untrusted client headers before they reach the application.
Update Unknown/Shibboleth to 2.5.4 if you use the affected versions. Test the change in a non-production environment first.
Local check
hol-guard supply-chain scanShibboleth < 2.5.4 - Unauthenticated Administrator Account Creation via Identity Header Spoofing affects Unknown/Shibboleth (generic). Severity is high. The Shibboleth WordPress plugin before 2.5.4 does not fail closed when its HTTP header identity mode is enabled without an anti-spoofing key, treating any request that carries identity headers as an authenticated session without verifying them. On a deployment where untrusted client headers reach the application, an unauthenticated attacker can log in with forged identity headers and, when automatic account creation and the default administrator role mapping are enabled, create and sign in as a new administrator. Exploitation requires the non-default HTTP header attribute mode, an empty or absent spoof key, automatic account creation enabled, and a deployment that does not strip untrusted client headers before they reach the application.
AI coding agents often install or upgrade packages automatically in generic. A high vulnerability in a dependency can be pulled into a project through a normal install or update without a human reviewing the change, expanding the blast radius from a single package to every agent workspace that depends on it.
| Package | Affected range | Fixed version |
|---|
The Shibboleth WordPress plugin before 2.5.4 does not fail closed when its HTTP header identity mode is enabled without an anti-spoofing key, treating any request that carries identity headers as an authenticated session without verifying them. On a deployment where untrusted client headers reach the application, an unauthenticated attacker can log in with forged identity headers and, when automatic account creation and the default administrator role mapping are enabled, create and sign in as a new administrator. Exploitation requires the non-default HTTP header attribute mode, an empty or absent spoof key, automatic account creation enabled, and a deployment that does not strip untrusted client headers before they reach the application.
Update Unknown/Shibboleth to 2.5.4 if you use the affected versions. Test the change in a non-production environment first.
Local check
hol-guard supply-chain scanShibboleth < 2.5.4 - Unauthenticated Administrator Account Creation via Identity Header Spoofing affects Unknown/Shibboleth (generic). Severity is high. The Shibboleth WordPress plugin before 2.5.4 does not fail closed when its HTTP header identity mode is enabled without an anti-spoofing key, treating any request that carries identity headers as an authenticated session without verifying them. On a deployment where untrusted client headers reach the application, an unauthenticated attacker can log in with forged identity headers and, when automatic account creation and the default administrator role mapping are enabled, create and sign in as a new administrator. Exploitation requires the non-default HTTP header attribute mode, an empty or absent spoof key, automatic account creation enabled, and a deployment that does not strip untrusted client headers before they reach the application.
AI coding agents often install or upgrade packages automatically in generic. A high vulnerability in a dependency can be pulled into a project through a normal install or update without a human reviewing the change, expanding the blast radius from a single package to every agent workspace that depends on it.
| Package | Affected range | Fixed version |
|---|
| Unknown/Shibbolethgeneric | >=0 <2.5.4 | 2.5.4 |
|---|
Fixed versions are reported by the source feed; confirm compatibility before updating.
Reported by CVE List V5 (cvelist).
HOL Guard can help your team review package activity against supported protection paths.
Explore HOL Guard| Unknown/Shibbolethgeneric | >=0 <2.5.4 | 2.5.4 |
|---|
Fixed versions are reported by the source feed; confirm compatibility before updating.
Reported by CVE List V5 (cvelist).
HOL Guard can help your team review package activity against supported protection paths.
Explore HOL Guard