CVE-2021-36888
High PUBLISHEDWordPress Image Hover Effects Ultimate plugin <= 9.6.1 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary Options Update leading to full website compromise
Not yet in CISA KEV
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
Unauthenticated Arbitrary Options Update vulnerability leading to full website compromise discovered in Image Hover Effects Ultimate (versions <= 9.6.1) WordPress plugin.
- CVE Published
- Dec 15, 2021
- Exploitation Reported
- Dec 15, 2021
- CVSS
- 9.8 Critical
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxilab |
Image Hover Effects Ultimate (WordPress plugin)
|
<= 9.6.1 to <= 9.6.1 |
Affected |
CVE References
- wordpress.org/plugins/image-hover-effects-ultimate wordpress.org · CVE Record https://wordpress.org/plugins/image-hover-effects-ultimate/#developers
- patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/image-hover-effects-u... patchstack.com · CVE Record https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/image-hover-effects-ult...
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| The Shadowserver First | 2021-12-15 18:06 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Nuclei and Metasploit references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclei | https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2021/CVE-2021-36888.yaml | Jun 01, 2026 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users via the Pro API.
Learn About Virtual PatchesCVSS Scores
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2021-12-15 18:06:58 UTC · The Shadowserver
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2026-06-12 14:20:57 UTC · Nuclei Templates
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Improper Access Control
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclei | https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2021/CVE-2021-36888.yaml | Jun 01, 2026 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
nuclei · Created Unknown
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
14:20 UTC about 1 month ago14:20 UTC · about 1 month ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
15:34 UTC about 1 month ago15:34 UTC · about 1 month ago
Nuclei template available
Scanner coverage available
-
18:06 UTC over 4 years ago18:06 UTC · over 4 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
18:06 UTC over 4 years ago18:06 UTC · over 4 years ago
Added to KEVIntel KEV Feed
High-confidence, third-party attested exploitation
-
00:00 UTC almost 5 years ago00:00 UTC · almost 5 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2021-36888
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2021-36888",
"title": "WordPress Image Hover Effects Ultimate plugin <= 9.6.1 - Unauthenticated Arbi...",
"affected_vendor": "Oxilab",
"affected_product": "Image Hover Effects Ultimate (WordPress plugin)",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "High",
"cvss_score": 9.8,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}