CVE-2026-112312 in ACF Extended Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/22/2026
Missing Authorization vulnerability in ACF Extended ACF Extended acf-extended allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects ACF Extended: from n/a through 0.9.2.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2026
The identified security flaw within the ACF Extended plugin, specifically affecting versions up to and including 0.9.2.7, represents a critical failure in access control mechanisms that allows unauthorized users to perform actions or access data intended for privileged accounts. This vulnerability stems from an incorrect configuration of security levels where the application fails to properly verify whether the authenticated user possesses the necessary permissions before executing sensitive operations. In web applications utilizing Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) extensions, such as ACF Extended, it is common for developers to rely on client-side checks or insufficient server-side validation when handling form submissions and AJAX requests. When these controls are misconfigured, an attacker can bypass standard authentication barriers by manipulating request parameters to target administrative endpoints or restricted fields that should otherwise be inaccessible. This type of flaw aligns directly with CWE-284, which describes Improper Access Control, indicating a systemic weakness in the enforcement of security policies rather than a simple coding error.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to the integrity and confidentiality of data managed through WordPress sites running the affected plugin version. Attackers can exploit this lack of authorization checks to modify or delete content that they should not have permission to touch, potentially leading to defacement, data loss, or the injection of malicious code into site pages. Furthermore, if the vulnerable endpoints handle user profile information or custom field data containing sensitive personal details, there is a risk of unauthorized disclosure of private information. The impact extends beyond immediate data compromise as it undermines trust in the platform's security posture and can lead to compliance violations depending on the nature of the stored data. Such vulnerabilities are frequently exploited using automated tools that scan for known weaknesses in popular plugins, making timely remediation essential to prevent widespread exploitation across thousands of websites relying on this ecosystem.
The technical execution of this exploit typically involves intercepting HTTP requests via a proxy tool and modifying specific parameters associated with administrative functions or restricted field updates. Since the vulnerability lies in the server's failure to validate access rights rather than input sanitization, traditional defenses like Cross-Site Scripting filters may not mitigate this issue. Instead, the core problem is rooted in how the application logic handles role-based permissions during request processing. This scenario reflects common patterns observed in ATT&CK technique T1078, Valid Accounts, where attackers leverage legitimate credentials to access resources they are not authorized for by exploiting logical flaws rather than stealing high-privilege accounts outright. The absence of robust server-side authorization checks allows even low-privileged users, such as subscribers or contributors, to escalate their privileges effectively within the application context without needing additional exploits.
To mitigate this vulnerability and restore secure operations, administrators must immediately update ACF Extended to a version later than 0.9.2.7 where these access control issues have been addressed by the developers. Relying on outdated versions leaves systems exposed to known exploitation techniques that are widely documented in public databases. In addition to updating the plugin, it is advisable to implement additional layers of defense such as Web Application Firewalls configured to detect anomalous request patterns indicative of authorization bypass attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar logical flaws in custom code or other plugins integrated into the WordPress environment. Ensuring that all components adhere to strict least-privilege principles will significantly reduce the attack surface and protect against future incidents involving improper access control mechanisms.