Authentication Bypass in Time Capsule Plugin for WordPress
CVE-2020-37255

8.7HIGH

Key Information:

Vendor

WordPress
Status
Time Capsule Plugin
Vendor
CVE Published:
20 June 2026

Badges

👾 Exploit Exists🟡 Public PoC

What is CVE-2020-37255?

The Time Capsule Plugin version 1.21.16 for WordPress has a significant authentication bypass vulnerability. This allows unauthenticated attackers to gain administrative access by sending specially crafted POST requests that leverage the IWP_JSON_PREFIX header. Exploiting this weakness grants attackers the ability to obtain valid administrator session cookies, enabling them to access the WordPress dashboard without entering any credentials. This vulnerability poses a serious risk to WordPress sites using this plugin, facilitating unauthorized administrative actions and potential site compromise.

Affected Version(s)

Time Capsule Plugin 0 < 1.21.16

Exploit Proof of Concept (PoC)

PoC code is written by security researchers to demonstrate the vulnerability can be exploited. PoC code is also a key component for weaponization which could lead to ransomware.

CVE-2020-37255 - Proof of Concept

References

https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/47941
exploit
https://wptimecapsule.com/
product
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/wordpress-time-capsu...
third-party-advisory

CVSS V4

Score:
8.7
Severity:
HIGH
Confidentiality:
High
Integrity:
None
Availability:
None
Attack Vector:
Network
Attack Complexity:
Low
Attack Required:
None
Privileges Required:
Undefined
User Interaction:
None

Timeline

  • 🟡

    Public PoC available

  • 👾

    Exploit known to exist

  • Vulnerability published

  • Vulnerability Reserved

Credit

B. Canavate
.