# CVE-2026-96818: WP Express Checkout broken access control vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96818-unauthenticated-broken-access-control-in-wp-express-checkout  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-30. Updated: 2026-09-30  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-96818 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-09-30

WP Express Checkout is a WordPress plugin that processes PayPal payments. An unauthenticated attacker can bypass access controls to view sensitive data or perform unauthorized actions on affected sites. Sites running version 2.4.9 or earlier are at risk.

Technologies: [WP Express Checkout](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/wp-express-checkout). Vendors: [WP Express Checkout](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/wp-express-checkout).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-96818 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-96818 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-96818?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 30 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** WP Express Checkout <=2.4.9.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-96818?** A patch was published on 2026-09-30: Version 2.5.0 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-96818 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a web application.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-96818?** Check whether you run WP Express Checkout 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

An unauthenticated broken access control vulnerability exists in WP Express Checkout versions up to 2.4.9, allowing attackers to access restricted pages or actions without proper authorization. The vulnerability requires no user interaction and is exploitable over the network. The issue is resolved in version 2.5.0.

## Affected products

- WP Express Checkout WP Express Checkout <=2.4.9

## Timeline

- 2026-09-30: disclosed
- 2026-09-30: patched: Version 2.5.0

## References

- [https://wordpress.org/plugins](https://wordpress.org/plugins)
- [https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/wp-express-checkout/vulnerability/wordpress-wp-express-checkout-accept-paypal-payments-plugin-2-4-9-broken-access-control-vulnerability?_s_id=cve](https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/wp-express-checkout/vulnerability/wordpress-wp-express-checkout-accept-paypal-payments-plugin-2-4-9-broken-access-control-vulnerability?_s_id=cve)

## Related threats

- [WP Express Checkout payment verification bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83537-wp-express-checkout-payment-verification-bypass)
- [WP Express Checkout payment verification bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83533-wp-express-checkout-payment-verification-bypass)