# CVE-2026-106601: Automattic Jetpack authentication bypass in password recovery

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-106601-authentication-bypass-using-an-alternate-path-or-channel  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-09. Updated: 2026-10-16  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-106601 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.4 · Published 2026-10-09

Jetpack is a widely-used WordPress plugin that provides security, performance, and content management features for millions of websites. An unauthenticated attacker can bypass the login system and gain unauthorized account access by exploiting a flaw in the password recovery mechanism, potentially compromising website content and user data.

Technologies: [Automattic Jetpack](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/jetpack). Vendors: [Automattic](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/automattic).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-106601 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-106601 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-106601?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.4, published 9 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Automattic Jetpack through 16.2.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-106601?** Yes: fixed in 16.3. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-106601 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-106601?** Check whether you run Automattic Jetpack at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- Fixed in 16.3

## Technical details

An authentication bypass vulnerability in Jetpack's password recovery mechanism allows unauthenticated attackers to bypass login controls via an alternate path or channel. The vulnerability affects the Jetpack plugin through version 16.2 and is remediated in version 16.3; exploitation requires only network access and no authentication credentials or user interaction.

## Affected products

- Automattic Jetpack through 16.2

## Timeline

- 2026-10-09: disclosed

## References

- [https://wordpress.org/plugins](https://wordpress.org/plugins)
- [https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/jetpack/vulnerability/wordpress-jetpack-plugin-16-2-broken-authentication-vulnerability-2?_s_id=cve](https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/jetpack/vulnerability/wordpress-jetpack-plugin-16-2-broken-authentication-vulnerability-2?_s_id=cve)

## Related threats

- [Automattic Jetpack authentication bypass via alternate path](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-106602-authentication-bypass-using-an-alternate-path-or-channel)
- [Automattic Jetpack reflected XSS in grunion-form-view.php](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2022-50958-automattic-jetpack-reflected-xss-in-grunion-form-view-php)