CVE-2026-105058 in WP User Profiles Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/06/2026
Subscriber Privilege Escalation in WP User Profiles <= 2.7.3 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2026
The vulnerability identified as Subscriber Privilege Escalation in the WP User Profiles plugin, affecting versions up to and including 2.7.3, represents a critical security flaw within WordPress-based content management systems. This issue stems from an improper restriction of access control lists (ACLs) or role capabilities, allowing users with low-level privileges, specifically those assigned the Subscriber role, to perform actions that should be reserved for administrators or editors. In standard WordPress architectures, the Subscriber role is intended to have minimal permissions, typically limited to managing their own profile and viewing content they are authorized to see. However, due to insufficient validation of user capabilities during specific administrative operations within this plugin, attackers can bypass these restrictions to escalate their privileges significantly.
From a technical perspective, the flaw likely resides in how the plugin handles requests related to user management or profile configuration without adequately verifying that the requesting user possesses the necessary elevated permissions. This type of vulnerability is commonly classified under CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management and often aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078: Valid Accounts, where an attacker leverages legitimate credentials but exploits a logic error to gain higher-level access. The absence of robust server-side checks means that any authenticated user can manipulate API endpoints or form submissions associated with the plugin to modify system settings, create new administrative accounts, or alter existing user roles without authorization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on WordPress for their web presence. Once an attacker successfully escalates privileges from a Subscriber account to Administrator level, they gain full control over the website environment. This includes the ability to install malicious plugins, modify core theme files, access sensitive database information, and potentially inject backdoors or malware into the site's codebase. Such compromise can lead to data breaches, defacement of public-facing pages, and the use of the compromised server as a pivot point for further attacks against internal networks if proper network segmentation is not in place. Additionally, attackers may exploit this access to distribute phishing content through legitimate-looking emails sent from the organization’s domain, severely damaging reputation and trust with customers or partners.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate remediation by updating the WP User Profiles plugin to a version later than 2.7.3 where these permission checks have been corrected by the developers. In scenarios where an update is not immediately feasible due to compatibility concerns with other plugins, administrators should consider disabling the vulnerable plugin entirely until it can be safely upgraded or replaced with a more secure alternative that adheres strictly to WordPress coding standards for capability verification. Furthermore, implementing strict input validation and ensuring that all administrative actions are gated by rigorous role-based access control checks is essential. Regular security audits and monitoring of user activity logs can also help detect unauthorized privilege escalation attempts early, allowing for rapid incident response before significant damage occurs.