CVE-2022-3538: The Webmaster Tools Verification WordPress plugin through 1.2 does not have authorisation and CSRF checks when

Q: How do I fix CVE-2022-3538?

webmaster tools verification: upgrade to newer than 1.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2022-3538 being exploited?

CVE-2022-3538 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2022-3538 affect?

CVE-2022-3538 affects webmaster tools verification. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). The Webmaster Tools Verification WordPress plugin through 1.2 does not have authorisation and CSRF checks when disabling plugins, allowing unauthenticated users to disable arbitrary plugins

Q: How urgent is CVE-2022-3538?

Priority 36/100. Public exploit reference

Routine

MEDIUM 6.5UPGRADE

CVE-2022-3538 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting webmaster tools verification. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The Webmaster Tools Verification WordPress plugin through 1.2 does not have authorisation and CSRF checks when disabling plugins, allowing unauthenticated users to disable arbitrary plugins

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 68%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-352, CWE-862
Published	2022-11-14
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): WPScan · Vendor: webmaster tools verification project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-11-14 15:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:59 UTCUpdated Record last modified

webmaster tools verification project webmaster tools verification UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.2

Fixed in: newer than 1.2

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy webmaster-tools-verification || rpm -q webmaster-tools-verification || webmaster-tools-verification --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade webmaster-tools-verification

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade webmaster-tools-verification

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2022-3538?

webmaster tools verification: upgrade to newer than 1.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2022-3538 being exploited?

CVE-2022-3538 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2022-3538 affect?

CVE-2022-3538 affects webmaster tools verification. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). The Webmaster Tools Verification WordPress plugin through 1.2 does not have authorisation and CSRF checks when disabling plugins, allowing unauthenticated users to disable arbitrary plugins

How urgent is CVE-2022-3538?

Priority 36/100. Public exploit reference

Software pages

WordPress vulnerabilities

References

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