CVE-2025-14123 in Redux Framework Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/09/2026
The Redux Framework plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to privilege escalation in all versions up to, and including, 4.5.11. This is due to the plugin saving arbitrary meta keys under a registered option name without sufficient capability checks or key allowlist / restrictions. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to set an arbitrary role (e.g., Administrator) when performing a profile update if a plugin or theme using this framework has added at least one user profile field that leverages Redux_Users::set_profile/set_section/set_field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2026
The vulnerability identified in the Redux Framework for WordPress, affecting versions up to and including 4.5.11, represents a critical privilege escalation flaw rooted in improper access control mechanisms within the plugin's user profile handling logic. This issue arises from the framework's design choice to save arbitrary meta keys under registered option names without implementing sufficient capability checks or maintaining an allowlist of permitted fields. In WordPress architecture, the Redux Framework is widely utilized by numerous themes and plugins to provide customizable options panels for administrators. However, when this framework integrates with user profile sections via functions such as Redux_Users::set_profile, set_section, or set_field, it inadvertently exposes a mechanism that allows authenticated users to manipulate internal configuration data in ways intended only for higher-privileged roles.
The technical core of the vulnerability lies in the lack of validation during the saving process of user meta data. When an attacker with Subscriber-level access or above performs a profile update on any site where a theme or plugin utilizes these specific Redux integration functions, they can inject arbitrary metadata keys into the system. Because there is no restriction on which keys can be saved and no verification that the current user has the administrative privileges required to modify such sensitive configuration options, the attacker can overwrite critical WordPress settings. Specifically, by manipulating these fields, an attacker can alter their own role capability array or related authentication tokens stored within the option structure, effectively promoting themselves from a low-privilege account like Subscriber directly to Administrator status without needing to exploit any other part of the application logic.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability allows for complete compromise of the WordPress installation's security posture. Once an attacker achieves administrative privileges through this privilege escalation vector, they gain full control over the website environment. This includes the ability to install malicious plugins or themes, modify core files, access sensitive database information, and potentially pivot to attack other systems within the network if the web server is not properly isolated. The severity of this impact is compounded by the fact that it requires only authenticated access at a very low level (Subscriber), which is often the default role for new users on public-facing WordPress sites where registration is enabled. This makes the vulnerability highly exploitable in real-world scenarios, particularly on community-driven or membership-based websites.
This flaw aligns with CWE-269, Improper Privilege Management, as it involves a failure to enforce proper authorization checks when performing actions that require elevated privileges. Furthermore, from an offensive security perspective such as the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability facilitates the Initial Access and Persistence tactics by allowing an attacker to escalate their own permissions within the application layer after gaining initial foothold through standard authentication mechanisms. The exploitation does not rely on complex buffer overflows or injection techniques but rather on a logical flaw in how user input is processed against system configuration structures.
Mitigation for this vulnerability requires immediate action from site administrators and developers using the Redux Framework. The primary remediation step is to update the Redux Framework plugin to version 4.5.12 or later, where these capability checks have been properly implemented to restrict which fields can be modified by non-administrative users. For sites that cannot immediately upgrade due to compatibility concerns with specific themes or plugins, temporary mitigations include disabling user registration if not strictly necessary, restricting the Subscriber role's ability to edit their own profiles through custom code snippets in functions.php, or auditing installed themes and plugins for usage of the vulnerable Redux_Users integration methods and replacing them with more secure alternatives. Regular security audits and adherence to principle of least privilege are essential to prevent similar logical flaws from being exploited in future updates.