# CVE-2026-40785: AutomatorWP broken authentication in WordPress plugin

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-40785-automatorwp-broken-authentication-in-wordpress-plugin  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-06-15. Updated: 2026-06-15  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-40785 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.1 · Published 2026-06-15

AutomatorWP is a WordPress plugin used to automate tasks between different WordPress plugins and services. A security flaw in versions 5.6.7 and earlier allows users with low-level 'Subscriber' accounts to bypass authentication mechanisms. This could allow an attacker to perform unauthorized actions or potentially gain administrative control over the website, leading to full site compromise or data loss.

Technologies: [AutomatorWP](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/automatorwp). Vendors: [AutomatorWP](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/automatorwp).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-40785 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-40785 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-40785?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.1, published 15 June 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** AutomatorWP <= 5.6.7.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-40785?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-40785 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-40785?** Check whether you run AutomatorWP 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.

## Technical details

AutomatorWP versions up to and including 5.6.7 are vulnerable to an authentication bypass (CWE-288) via an alternate path. The vulnerability allows an authenticated user with low-level 'Subscriber' privileges to bypass intended authentication checks. By exploiting this flaw, a remote attacker can execute actions typically reserved for higher-privileged users, which may lead to privilege escalation or full administrative access to the WordPress site. The issue is resolved in version 5.6.8.

## Affected products

- AutomatorWP AutomatorWP <= 5.6.7

## Timeline

- 2026-03-17: other: Reported by Jakub Herman
- 2026-04-23: advisory: Initial Patchstack advisory published
- 2026-06-15: disclosed: NVD publication date

## References

- [https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/automatorwp/vulnerability/wordpress-automatorwp-plugin-5-6-7-broken-authentication-vulnerability?_s_id=cve](https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/automatorwp/vulnerability/wordpress-automatorwp-plugin-5-6-7-broken-authentication-vulnerability?_s_id=cve)

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