CVE-2026-45217 Overview
CVE-2026-45217 is an authentication bypass vulnerability affecting the ThemeHigh Stripe Payment Gateway for WooCommerce plugin for WordPress. The flaw resides in the plugin's password recovery flow and allows attackers to bypass authentication through an alternate path or channel. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-288, Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel. All plugin versions from initial release through 5.0.7 are affected. Remote attackers can exploit the issue across the network without prior authentication or user interaction. Successful exploitation impacts the integrity and availability of WooCommerce sites that rely on the plugin for Stripe payment processing.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can abuse the password recovery channel to bypass authentication on affected WooCommerce stores running Stripe Payment Gateway for WooCommerce up to version 5.0.7.
Affected Products
- ThemeHigh Stripe Payment Gateway for WooCommerce versions through 5.0.7
- WordPress sites running the payment-gateway-stripe-and-woocommerce-integration plugin
- WooCommerce installations using ThemeHigh Stripe integration for checkout
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-05-25 - CVE-2026-45217 published to NVD
- 2026-05-26 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-45217
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is an Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel [CWE-288] in the password recovery functionality of the Stripe Payment Gateway for WooCommerce plugin. The plugin exposes a recovery channel that does not enforce the same authentication checks as primary login paths. Attackers can leverage this alternate channel to gain access to accounts without supplying valid credentials. The attack is network-reachable, requires low complexity, and needs no user interaction.
The impact extends to account takeover scenarios in WooCommerce stores. Because WooCommerce accounts hold order history, billing details, and stored payment metadata, successful exploitation enables manipulation of customer data and order workflows.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper authentication validation in the plugin's password recovery logic. The recovery channel accepts requests or tokens through a path that bypasses standard WordPress authentication enforcement. The plugin fails to verify the requester's identity before permitting password reset or account access actions, enabling unauthenticated abuse.
Attack Vector
An attacker sends crafted HTTP requests to the affected WordPress site's exposed password recovery endpoint. The attacker invokes the alternate recovery channel to trigger authentication bypass without providing valid user credentials. No privileges or user interaction are required. Refer to the Patchstack advisory for technical specifics.
No public proof-of-concept exploit is currently available. The EPSS probability is 0.05%.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-45217
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected password reset requests targeting WooCommerce customer or administrator accounts
- HTTP requests to plugin endpoints under /wp-content/plugins/payment-gateway-stripe-and-woocommerce-integration/ containing recovery parameters
- New or modified WordPress user sessions originating from unfamiliar IP addresses without corresponding successful login events
- Sudden changes to user email addresses or passwords in the wp_users table without audit trail
Detection Strategies
- Monitor WordPress authentication logs for password reset events that lack a matching legitimate user-initiated request
- Inspect web server access logs for repeated requests to plugin-specific password recovery URLs from a single source
- Correlate WooCommerce order activity with account credential changes occurring shortly before the order
- Alert on installations of the plugin reporting version 5.0.7 or earlier through asset inventory scans
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging on WordPress authentication and password reset flows
- Forward web application logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation across plugin endpoints and account changes
- Track plugin version drift across all managed WordPress sites and flag versions at or below 5.0.7
- Review WooCommerce administrative actions for unexpected account modifications on a recurring schedule
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-45217
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress sites running the Stripe Payment Gateway for WooCommerce plugin and confirm installed versions
- Update the plugin to a version above 5.0.7 once a patched release is published by ThemeHigh
- Force password resets for administrative and high-value WooCommerce customer accounts on affected sites
- Audit recent password reset and login activity for signs of abuse via the alternate recovery channel
Patch Information
The vulnerability affects versions through 5.0.7. Review the Patchstack advisory for the latest patch availability and apply the vendor-supplied fix as soon as it is released.
Workarounds
- Temporarily deactivate the Stripe Payment Gateway for WooCommerce plugin if the site can operate without it
- Restrict access to WordPress password recovery endpoints using web application firewall rules
- Enforce multi-factor authentication on WordPress administrator and shop manager accounts to reduce takeover impact
- Limit administrative panel access by IP allowlisting where feasible
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
