---
id: "CVE-2026-118185"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-118185"]
title: "Security Optimizer WordPress plugin: unlimited two-factor code guesses allow account takeover"
severity: "high"
cvss: null
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "other"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["other", "self-hosted", "wordpress", "wordpress-plugin"]
not_affected_if: ["plugin-version-1.6.9-or-later", "two-factor-not-enabled"]
published_at: "2026-10-31T06:16:33+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-31T06:33:50+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-31T06:34:27+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-118185", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-31T06:33:50+00:00"}]
---

# Security Optimizer WordPress plugin: unlimited two-factor code guesses allow account takeover

The Security Optimizer WordPress plugin before 1.6.9 does not limit how many two-factor authentication codes can be submitted for a pending login. An attacker who already knows a user's password can brute force the second factor and take over the account.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## How to check

- Check the installed Security Optimizer plugin version in the WordPress admin Plugins page; versions before `1.6.9` are affected.
- Confirm whether two-factor authentication is enabled through the plugin for your users.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-31T06:33:50+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-118185

## From the sources

The Security Optimizer  WordPress plugin before 1.6.9 does not limit the number of two-factor authentication codes that can be submitted for a pending login, allowing an attacker who already knows a user's password to brute force the second factor and take over the account.

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