CVE-2023-0404 in Events Made Easy Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/19/2023
The Events Made Easy plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authorization bypass due to a missing capability check on several functions related to AJAX actions in versions up to, and including, 2.3.16. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level permissions and above, to invoke those functions intended for administrator use. While the plugin is still pending review from the WordPress repository, site owners can download a copy of the patched version directly from the developer's Github at https://github.com/liedekef/events-made-easy
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2026
The Events Made Easy WordPress plugin presents a critical authorization bypass vulnerability that undermines the security model of WordPress installations. This flaw exists in versions up to and including 2.3.16 where the plugin fails to properly validate user capabilities before executing administrative functions. The vulnerability specifically affects AJAX actions that should only be accessible to users with administrator privileges, yet authenticated users at the subscriber level or higher can exploit these functions through direct API calls. The missing capability checks create a pathway for privilege escalation where lower-privileged users can perform actions typically restricted to administrators, potentially leading to unauthorized modifications of event data, user management operations, and other sensitive administrative tasks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the plugin's AJAX handler functions. When users submit requests through the AJAX interface, the plugin does not verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary administrative privileges before executing the corresponding functions. This oversight allows authenticated attackers to craft malicious requests that bypass the standard WordPress capability checks, effectively enabling them to perform administrative operations without proper authorization. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the existing authentication system rather than requiring additional credentials, making it easier to exploit in real-world scenarios where users already have legitimate access to the WordPress site.
The operational impact of this authorization bypass vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise the entire WordPress installation's integrity. Attackers with subscriber-level access can manipulate event data, modify event configurations, and potentially access sensitive information that should remain restricted to administrators. This vulnerability can be exploited to create unauthorized events, modify existing event details, or even delete critical event information, disrupting the normal operation of event management systems. Furthermore, the compromised plugin can serve as a foothold for more extensive attacks, as attackers can use the elevated privileges to gather additional information about the site's structure or deploy additional malicious payloads. The vulnerability affects all users who have authenticated access to the WordPress site, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have varying permission levels.
Security practitioners should immediately implement mitigation strategies while awaiting the official patched version from the plugin developer. Site administrators must ensure they are running the latest version of the Events Made Easy plugin from the developer's official GitHub repository, as the patched version addresses the missing capability checks in the AJAX handlers. The recommended approach includes monitoring for unauthorized changes to event data, implementing additional access controls through custom code if necessary, and conducting regular security audits of plugin installations. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to AJAX endpoints and monitor for unusual patterns of API usage that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques. The attack surface expands when considering that WordPress plugins often serve as attack vectors due to their frequent updates and varying security implementation quality, making this type of vulnerability particularly relevant for organizations maintaining multiple WordPress installations.