CVE-2026-103357 in GIFT4U Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/10/2026
Missing Authorization vulnerability in VillaTheme GIFT4U gift4u-gift-cards-all-in-one-for-woo allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects GIFT4U: from n/a through 1.1.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2026
The identified security flaw within the VillaTheme GIFT4U plugin, specifically in versions ranging from no specified lower bound up to version 1.1.3, represents a critical failure in access control mechanisms known as Broken Access Control or Missing Authorization. This vulnerability stems from an incorrect configuration of security levels that governs how users interact with sensitive administrative functions and data within the WordPress ecosystem. In standard web application architecture, authorization checks must be enforced on every request to ensure that only authenticated and authorized users can perform specific actions. However, in this instance, the plugin fails to adequately verify whether a user possesses the necessary privileges before processing requests related to gift card management, configuration settings, or transactional data. This oversight allows attackers who have obtained low-privileged accounts, such as subscribers or even unauthenticated visitors depending on the specific endpoint exposed, to bypass intended restrictions and execute administrative-level operations.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-269, which describes Improper Privilege Assignment, and more specifically CWE-862, Missing Authorization. The core issue lies in the server-side logic not validating user roles against required capabilities for specific API endpoints or admin pages. When an attacker exploits this flaw, they can manipulate HTTP requests to perform actions such as creating new gift cards with arbitrary values, modifying existing card balances, accessing customer payment information, or altering plugin settings without proper authentication checks. This type of exploitation is often categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework technique T1078, Valid Accounts, where an attacker uses legitimate credentials but abuses their lack of restrictions to escalate privileges effectively. The absence of robust server-side validation means that client-side security measures are easily bypassed using simple request manipulation tools or automated scripts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for any e-commerce site utilizing the GIFT4U plugin, as it directly compromises the integrity and confidentiality of financial data. Gift cards often function similarly to digital currency within a store's ecosystem, making them high-value targets for fraudsters. An attacker could generate unlimited gift cards with significant monetary value, effectively draining the merchant's revenue or creating fraudulent transactions that are difficult to trace back to legitimate customers. Furthermore, if customer personal identifiable information (PII) is accessible through these improperly secured endpoints, it leads to potential data breaches violating regulations such as GDPR or CCPA. The ability to modify plugin settings could also allow an attacker to disable security features, inject malicious code into the gift card generation process, or redirect transactions to external accounts, thereby causing substantial financial loss and reputational damage to the business owner.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate remediation through software updates and enhanced access control practices. The primary recommendation is to upgrade the GIFT4U plugin to a version later than 1.1.3, where the vendor has presumably implemented proper authorization checks for all administrative functions. Until an update is available or if no patch exists, administrators should restrict access to WordPress admin areas using IP whitelisting and ensure that only trusted users have administrator-level privileges on the site. Additionally, implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) can help detect and block anomalous request patterns associated with privilege escalation attempts. It is also crucial to audit other plugins for similar vulnerabilities, as Broken Access Control remains one of the most prevalent risks in web applications according to OWASP Top 10 standards. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify any remaining gaps in access control logic before they can be exploited by malicious actors seeking financial gain or data theft.