CVE-2026-114698 in myCred Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/22/2026
Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key vulnerability in myCred myCred mycred allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects myCred: from n/a through 4.0.0-beta.1.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a critical flaw within the myCRED plugin, specifically categorized as an Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key. This type of security defect falls under the broader classification of CWE-285, which addresses Improper Authorization, and is frequently associated with ATT&CK technique T1078, Valid Accounts, where attackers leverage legitimate credentials or manipulated inputs to gain unauthorized access. The core issue stems from an incorrect configuration of access control security levels within the application logic. In a properly secured system, authorization checks should rely on immutable identifiers such as internal database IDs or session tokens rather than keys that can be directly influenced by user input. However, in this instance, the software allows users to supply their own keys for authentication or authorization decisions, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and unauthorized data access.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability arises because the application fails to validate whether the key provided by the client corresponds strictly to an authorized resource owned by that specific user session. When myCRED processes requests involving points management, leaderboard updates, or reward distributions, it trusts the integrity of the keys passed in HTTP parameters without sufficient server-side verification against a secure store of valid permissions. This oversight enables an attacker to manipulate these keys to target resources belonging to other users or administrative functions that should be restricted. By altering the user-controlled key parameter, an adversary can bypass intended access controls, effectively impersonating another entity or accessing sensitive configuration data that is not meant for public consumption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant due to the nature of myCRED as a gamification and loyalty plugin often integrated into WordPress sites with high traffic and diverse user bases. Successful exploitation could allow malicious actors to manipulate point balances, leading to economic distortion within any system relying on these points for real-world value or competitive integrity. Furthermore, attackers might exploit this flaw to escalate privileges, potentially gaining administrative access if the flawed authorization logic extends to backend management features. This compromises not only individual user data but also the overall integrity of the website, exposing it to further attacks such as defacement, malware injection, or large-scale data exfiltration depending on the specific implementation context and connected plugins.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate remediation through software updates followed by robust architectural changes. The primary recommendation is to upgrade myCRED to a version later than 4.0.0-beta.1 where this vulnerability has been addressed by developers who likely replaced user-controlled keys with server-side session validation or immutable resource identifiers. For environments unable to update immediately, administrators should implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters related to authorization checks. Additionally, deploying Web Application Firewalls can help detect anomalous patterns in key manipulation attempts. Long-term security posture improvements involve adopting the principle of least privilege for plugin functions and conducting regular code audits to ensure that access control mechanisms are decoupled from user-supplied data inputs, thereby eliminating entire classes of authorization bypass vulnerabilities.