CVE-2026-118092 in MasterStudy Lms Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/29/2026
Missing Authorization vulnerability in StylemixThemes MasterStudy LMS masterstudy-lms-learning-management-system allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects MasterStudy LMS: from n/a through 3.7.55.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2026
The identified security flaw represents a critical failure in access control mechanisms within the StylemixThemes MasterStudy Learning Management System, specifically affecting versions ranging from initial releases up to version 3.7.55. This vulnerability is classified as an insecure direct object reference or broken access control issue, where the application fails to properly verify whether the authenticated user has sufficient privileges to perform specific actions on resources they do not own or are not authorized to manage. In a typical learning management system architecture, such controls are essential for maintaining data integrity and confidentiality by ensuring that instructors can only modify their own courses while students have restricted read-only access to enrolled materials. The absence of these checks allows an attacker with valid credentials but lower privilege levels to manipulate administrative functions or sensitive course configurations intended exclusively for higher-level users.
From a technical perspective, the root cause lies in the server-side logic handling requests related to course management and user role assignments. When a client application sends a request to update settings such as quiz parameters, enrollment rules, or payment gateways, the backend processes these inputs without adequately cross-referencing them against the current session's permission matrix. This oversight enables privilege escalation scenarios where a standard student account can effectively assume the role of an administrator by crafting specific HTTP requests that bypass frontend validation layers. The vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-269, which describes Improper Privilege Management, and is also indicative of CWE-862 regarding Missing Authorization checks in API endpoints or internal application functions. Such flaws often persist because developers may rely on client-side security measures rather than enforcing strict server-side verification for every state-changing operation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to the sensitive nature of data typically stored within an LMS environment. An attacker could exploit this flaw to alter course content, potentially injecting malicious scripts or misleading educational materials that compromise student learning outcomes and institutional reputation. Furthermore, the ability to modify system-wide settings may allow for the extraction of personally identifiable information from user databases if such administrative functions include access to enrollment lists or payment details. In a broader context, this weakness facilitates lateral movement within an organization's digital ecosystem if the LMS is integrated with other enterprise systems via shared authentication protocols. The exploitation does not require complex techniques; it primarily involves manipulating request parameters through standard web proxies, making it accessible to attackers with basic knowledge of HTTP protocol mechanics and common vulnerability scanning tools.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate patching for all affected instances running versions prior to 3.7.56 or later where the fix is officially released by StylemixThemes. Administrators should also implement defense-in-depth measures such as strict input validation on both client and server sides, ensuring that every API endpoint verifies user roles against a centralized authorization service before executing any logic. Additionally, deploying Web Application Firewalls with rules specifically tuned to detect abnormal access patterns can provide an additional layer of protection by blocking requests that attempt to escalate privileges or access unauthorized resources. Regular security audits focusing on role-based access control configurations are recommended to identify and rectify similar misconfigurations across the application's codebase, thereby reducing the attack surface for future exploitation attempts aligned with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and account manipulation.