CVE-2021-36888 — AI Deep Analysis Summary

Q: Root Cause? (CWE/Flaw)

🛡️ **CWE**: CWE-284 (Improper Access Control). 🔍 **Flaw**: The plugin fails to verify user permissions before allowing updates to critical options. No authentication required to trigger this flaw.

Q: Who is affected? (Versions/Components)

🏢 **Vendor**: Oxilab. 📦 **Product**: Image Hover Effects Ultimate (WordPress Plugin). 📅 **Affected Versions**: **9.6.1 and earlier**. If you are on an older version, you are at risk!

Q: Is exploitation threshold high? (Auth/Config)

⚡ **Threshold**: **LOW**. 🔓 **Auth**: None required. ⚙️ **Config**: Low complexity. Any visitor can exploit this remotely. It is an easy target for automated bots.

Q: Is there a public Exp? (PoC/Wild Exploitation)

💣 **Public Exp?**: **YES**. 📜 **PoC**: Available via Nuclei templates (ProjectDiscovery). 🌐 **Status**: Wild exploitation is likely given the ease of use and lack of authentication.

Q: Is it fixed officially? (Patch/Mitigation)

🩹 **Official Fix**: **YES**. 📢 **Action**: Update the plugin to the latest version immediately. The vendor has acknowledged the issue and released patches. Check the official WordPress plugin repository.

Q: Is it urgent? (Priority Suggestion)

🔥 **Urgency**: **CRITICAL**. ⏱️ **Priority**: **P0**. 🚀 **Reason**: Unauthenticated, easy to exploit, and leads to full compromise. Patch immediately to prevent data breaches and site takeover.

Updated May 08, 2026 CVSS 9.8 · Critical

This is a summary of the AI-generated 10-question deep analysis. The full version (longer answers, follow-up Q&A, related CVEs) requires login. Read the full analysis →

Q1What is this vulnerability? (Essence + Consequences)

🚨 **Essence**: Unauthenticated Arbitrary Options Update in **Image Hover Effects Ultimate** plugin. <br>💥 **Consequences**: Full website compromise.…

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Q2Root Cause? (CWE/Flaw)

🛡️ **CWE**: CWE-284 (Improper Access Control). <br>🔍 **Flaw**: The plugin fails to verify user permissions before allowing updates to critical options. No authentication required to trigger this flaw.

Q3Who is affected? (Versions/Components)

🏢 **Vendor**: Oxilab. <br>📦 **Product**: Image Hover Effects Ultimate (WordPress Plugin). <br>📅 **Affected Versions**: **9.6.1 and earlier**. If you are on an older version, you are at risk!

Q4What can hackers do? (Privileges/Data)

🕵️ **Privileges**: **Unauthenticated** access. No login needed. <br>📂 **Data**: Full website control. Attackers can read sensitive data, modify site content, and potentially install backdoors.…

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Q5Is exploitation threshold high? (Auth/Config)

⚡ **Threshold**: **LOW**. <br>🔓 **Auth**: None required. <br>⚙️ **Config**: Low complexity. Any visitor can exploit this remotely. It is an easy target for automated bots.

Q6Is there a public Exp? (PoC/Wild Exploitation)

💣 **Public Exp?**: **YES**. <br>📜 **PoC**: Available via Nuclei templates (ProjectDiscovery). <br>🌐 **Status**: Wild exploitation is likely given the ease of use and lack of authentication.

Q7How to self-check? (Features/Scanning)

🔍 **Self-Check**: <br>1. Check WordPress plugin list for **Image Hover Effects Ultimate**. <br>2. Verify version is **≤ 9.6.1**. <br>3.…

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Q8Is it fixed officially? (Patch/Mitigation)

🩹 **Official Fix**: **YES**. <br>📢 **Action**: Update the plugin to the latest version immediately. The vendor has acknowledged the issue and released patches. Check the official WordPress plugin repository.

Q9What if no patch? (Workaround)

🚧 **No Patch?**: <br>1. **Disable** the plugin immediately if not in use. <br>2. **Delete** the plugin if unnecessary. <br>3. Restrict access to `wp-admin` if possible. <br>4.…

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Q10Is it urgent? (Priority Suggestion)

🔥 **Urgency**: **CRITICAL**. <br>⏱️ **Priority**: **P0**. <br>🚀 **Reason**: Unauthenticated, easy to exploit, and leads to full compromise. Patch immediately to prevent data breaches and site takeover.

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Vulnerability detail Full AI analysis (login) Oxilab CWE-284