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CleanTalk Plugin for WordPress Exposes Sites to Authorization Bypass via Reverse DNS

A critical vulnerability identified in the CleanTalk Spam Protection plugin for WordPress allows complete website takeover. This vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2026-1490, permits unauthenticated attackers to circumvent authorization mechanisms and install…

KBy Kyle MercerFeb 17, 20261 min read

A critical vulnerability identified in the CleanTalk Spam Protection plugin for WordPress allows complete website takeover. This vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2026-1490, permits unauthenticated attackers to circumvent authorization mechanisms and install arbitrary plugins on affected sites.

The flaw has been assigned a CVSS score of 9.8, highlighting the urgent need for website administrators to update outdated software versions. The vulnerability is rooted in the checkWithoutToken function, which improperly uses Reverse DNS (PTR) resolution for request validation.

In secure environments, identity verification should involve cryptographic tokens or strict server-side checks. However, this function relies on DNS records provided during the connection, which attackers can spoof to mimic requests from CleanTalk's trusted servers.

CVE ID CVSS Score Description

A critical vulnerability identified in the CleanTalk Spam Protection plugin for WordPress allows complete website takeover.
Kyle Mercer · Thehackingpost

CVE-2026-1490 9.8 (Critical) Authorization Bypass via Reverse DNS (PTR record) Spoofing in CleanTalk Spam Protection leads to unauthenticated arbitrary plugin installation and potential Remote Code Execution (RCE).

Exploitation of this vulnerability grants attackers significant control over the WordPress installation. By bypassing authorization checks, an unauthenticated actor can install any plugin from the WordPress repository, potentially leading to RCE. Attackers often use this access to install other vulnerable or malicious plugins to execute commands, modify files, and extract sensitive information.

Exploitation is feasible only on WordPress sites with the CleanTalk plugin installed but using an invalid API key. This condition is common in development sites, abandoned projects, or sites with lapsed subscriptions but active plugins. Despite this limitation, the vulnerability remains critical due to the attack's low complexity and lack of required user interaction.

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Researcher Nguyen Ngoc Duc (duc193) discovered the vulnerability, which was publicly disclosed on Tue, Feb 14, 2026. The CleanTalk development team has addressed this issue in version 6.72. Administrators are advised to verify their installed version and implement the update immediately to prevent unauthorized access.

Based on reporting by GBHackers.

AI transparency. This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence and published under human editorial oversight. AI systems can make mistakes. Read how we use AI (EU AI Act, Art. 50).
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