CVE-2010-0682 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
WordPress 2.9 before 2.9.2 allows remote authenticated users to read trash posts from other authors via a direct request with a modified p parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2026
WordPress version 2.9 before 2.9.2 contained a critical access control vulnerability that allowed authenticated users to bypass post visibility restrictions and access private content belonging to other authors. This vulnerability specifically affected the post management functionality where the system failed to properly validate user permissions when processing direct requests to retrieve posts from the trash. The flaw existed in the parameter handling mechanism that processed the p parameter in post retrieval requests, enabling malicious authenticated users to manipulate this parameter and gain unauthorized access to posts that should have been restricted to their original authors. The vulnerability was classified as a privilege escalation issue that violated the principle of least privilege and could be exploited through simple HTTP requests without requiring additional authentication mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stemmed from inadequate input validation and authorization checks within WordPress core code. When users submitted requests to view posts, the system relied on the p parameter to identify which post to retrieve from the database. However, the code did not properly verify whether the authenticated user had the necessary permissions to access the requested post, particularly when that post was in the trash status and belonged to another user. This weakness created a path for privilege escalation where attackers could modify the p parameter to reference posts owned by different users, effectively bypassing the standard WordPress post access controls. The vulnerability was categorized under CWE-284: Improper Access Control, which specifically addresses insufficient authorization mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to resources. According to the ATT&CK framework, this represents a privilege escalation technique under T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where adversaries leverage application-level weaknesses to gain elevated access rights.
The operational impact of this vulnerability was significant for WordPress installations running affected versions, as it exposed sensitive content to unauthorized users who were already authenticated to the system. Attackers could potentially access draft posts, private content, or posts that had been deleted but remained in the trash, leading to information disclosure and potential data breaches. This vulnerability particularly affected multi-user environments where administrators, editors, or contributors might have access to content they should not be able to view. The attack vector required minimal technical expertise since it involved simple parameter manipulation through standard HTTP requests, making it accessible to a wide range of threat actors. Organizations using WordPress 2.9 before 2.9.2 were at risk of exposure to sensitive information, including unpublished content, private discussions, or potentially confidential business data that should have remained restricted to specific users or roles. The vulnerability also posed risks to user privacy and could potentially be exploited for social engineering attacks or competitive intelligence gathering.
The recommended mitigation for this vulnerability involved upgrading to WordPress version 2.9.2 or later, which included proper access control checks and parameter validation. System administrators should implement additional security measures such as monitoring for unusual parameter manipulation patterns in web server logs and ensuring that all WordPress installations are kept up to date with the latest security patches. Organizations should also consider implementing additional access controls through plugins or custom code to further restrict post access based on user roles and permissions. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of proper input validation and authorization checks in web applications, particularly for content management systems where users have varying levels of access rights. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses in custom applications or third-party plugins that might be running on the WordPress platform. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring of user activities could help detect attempts to exploit such vulnerabilities and provide early warning of potential security incidents.