Security Alert Summary
The Ultimate Dashboard plugin for WordPress contains a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the handling of module toggles. A flawed nonce validation conditional in the plugin’s module action handler can allow an attacker to craft a request that, if an administrator performs an action such as clicking a link, toggles plugin modules on or off.
CVE Details
- CVE ID:
CVE-2026-3140 - Affected component: The Ultimate Dashboard plugin for WordPress (module action handling)
- Affected versions: All versions up to and including 3.8.14
- Published: May 01, 2026 at 12:16:15 PM UTC
- Last modified: May 01, 2026 at 3:26:24 PM UTC
- CVSS v3.1: Base Score 4.3, MEDIUM; Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
- Authentication / privileges / user interaction: Privileges Required: NONE; User Interaction: REQUIRED; Attack Vector: NETWORK; Attack Complexity: LOW
- Primary impact: Confidentiality: NONE; Integrity: LOW; Availability: NONE
- CWE: CWE-352 (Cross-Site Request Forgery)
Technical Details
The vulnerability is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) caused by a flawed nonce validation conditional in the plugin’s handle_module_actions function. Because the nonce check can be bypassed under certain conditional logic, an attacker can craft a request that toggles plugin modules on or off. The attack requires tricking a user with sufficient privileges (for example, an administrator) into performing an action such as clicking a link that issues the forged request.
The issue exists in the module action handling flow where the intended server-side verification of intent (nonce validation) does not reliably prevent state-changing requests originating from external sites or links. The practical effect is that module state can be altered without a valid, verified in-page action from the authenticated administrator.
How This Could Impact Your Website
In a typical scenario, a site owner or administrator manages plugin modules while internal staff or external contractors contribute content or perform maintenance. If an administrator is tricked into clicking a malicious link (for example, in an email or a chat message), an attacker could toggle modules on or off without directly logging into the site. That may change site behavior or disable functionality that administrators expect to be protected by deliberate action.
Because confidentiality impact is listed as NONE for this issue, sensitive data exposure is not indicated by the CVSS metrics; the primary concern is unauthorized modification of plugin module state (integrity impact: LOW). This can still increase operational risk, for example by altering features relied on for workflow or display.
If you’re unsure whether your site is affected or how to assess your current user roles and plugins, it may be worth having a professional review.
Recommended Actions
- Update the affected plugin as soon as a patched version is available.
- Review and reduce unnecessary user roles, especially contributor and editor accounts that have elevated access.
- Enforce strong passwords and two-factor authentication for editors and administrators.
- Remove unused or unmaintained plugins to reduce attack surface.
- Monitor site activity and logs for unusual behavior, including unexpected changes to plugin or module settings.
If you’d like help reviewing your plugins, user roles, or overall WordPress security posture, our team at Freshy is happy to help.
