CVE-2026-112842 in Paid Member Subscriptions Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/22/2026
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Cozmoslabs Paid Member Subscriptions paid-member-subscriptions allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Paid Member Subscriptions: from n/a through 3.1.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2026
The identified security flaw resides within the Cozmoslabs Paid Member Subscriptions plugin, specifically affecting versions ranging from its initial release up to version 3.1.2. This vulnerability is classified as a missing authorization issue, which fundamentally represents an insecure direct object reference or broken access control mechanism. In web application architecture, such flaws occur when the software fails to properly verify that the authenticated user has sufficient privileges to perform a requested action on a specific resource. Instead of relying on robust server-side checks for role-based permissions, the vulnerable code likely relies on client-side controls or simply omits verification steps entirely, allowing any logged-in user with minimal privileges to escalate their access levels arbitrarily.
From a technical perspective, this incorrect configuration of access control security levels enables an attacker to bypass intended restrictions and interact with administrative functions or sensitive data that should be restricted to higher-privileged accounts such as site administrators. The exploitation vector typically involves manipulating HTTP requests to target specific endpoints associated with subscription management, user role assignment, or plugin settings. Because the application does not adequately validate whether the current session possesses the requisite authorization tokens or roles before processing these requests, an attacker can craft malicious payloads that trick the server into executing privileged operations on behalf of a low-privilege account. This effectively neutralizes the security boundary between standard subscribers and administrators, leading to a complete compromise of the application's integrity model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it allows for unauthorized privilege escalation within the WordPress ecosystem. An attacker who gains access with even basic subscriber-level credentials can potentially modify subscription plans, alter user roles, or manipulate payment configurations without detection by standard audit logs that might only track administrative logins rather than individual API calls. This capability facilitates further attacks such as data exfiltration of customer billing information, defacement of the website through unauthorized content changes, or installation of additional malicious plugins if the escalated privileges allow for plugin management actions. The breach undermines trust in the subscription model and exposes organizations to significant financial and reputational risks due to compromised user data and system integrity.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-269, which covers Improper Privilege Management, and specifically relates to CWE-862, Missing Authorization. In terms of offensive security frameworks, this behavior is consistent with the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1078, Valid Accounts, where attackers leverage legitimate credentials to gain unauthorized access by exploiting misconfigured permissions rather than breaking into accounts through credential theft alone. The lack of proper authorization checks represents a fundamental failure in implementing secure design principles regarding identity and access management.
To mitigate this risk, immediate action is required to update the Cozmoslabs Paid Member Subscriptions plugin to version 3.1.3 or later, where these access control mechanisms have been corrected by the developers. Administrators should also implement strict input validation on all server-side endpoints related to subscription and user management features as a defense-in-depth measure. Additionally, deploying Web Application Firewalls with rulesets tuned for detecting privilege escalation attempts can provide an additional layer of protection against exploitation while patches are being applied. Regular security audits focusing on access control logic across all installed plugins will help identify similar misconfigurations before they can be exploited by malicious actors seeking to compromise the broader WordPress environment.