CVE-2026-120846 in Uncanny Automator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/03/2026
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Uncanny Owl Uncanny Automator uncanny-automator allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Uncanny Automator: from n/a through 7.7.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2026
The identified security flaw represents a critical failure in access control mechanisms within the Uncanny Automator plugin, specifically affecting versions ranging from initial releases up to version 7.7.1. This vulnerability is classified as an insecure direct object reference or broken access control issue, where the application fails to properly verify whether an authenticated user has the necessary privileges to perform a specific action on a given resource. In the context of WordPress plugins like Uncanny Automator, which often handle sensitive automation workflows and integrations with third-party services, such misconfigurations can allow attackers to bypass intended security boundaries. The core technical flaw lies in the server-side logic not adequately validating user roles or capabilities before processing requests that modify system state or expose private data. This means that a lower-privileged user, such as a subscriber or editor who should not have administrative access, could potentially manipulate API endpoints or internal functions to execute actions reserved for administrators.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to the integrity and confidentiality of web applications relying on this plugin. An attacker with even basic authentication capabilities can exploit these incorrectly configured security levels to escalate privileges within the application environment. This privilege escalation can lead to unauthorized modifications of automation recipes, which are central to the plugin's functionality for connecting different services. Furthermore, if the affected functions handle user data or interact with external APIs using stored credentials, an attacker could potentially exfiltrate sensitive information or trigger malicious actions on behalf of other users. The impact extends beyond simple defacement; it compromises the trust model of the application by allowing unauthorized entities to perform administrative tasks, such as creating new admin accounts, altering site settings, or executing arbitrary code if combined with other vulnerabilities like cross-site scripting or file inclusion flaws that might exist in related components.
This type of vulnerability is formally categorized under CWE-269, which addresses Improper Privilege Assignment, and aligns closely with the Broken Access Control category (CWE-284) within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. In terms of offensive security tactics, this flaw facilitates techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK matrix, particularly those related to privilege escalation and unauthorized access to resources. Attackers typically exploit such weaknesses by crafting specific HTTP requests that target internal endpoints or parameters without providing valid authorization tokens or session cookies appropriate for their current role level. The lack of robust server-side validation allows these maliciously crafted requests to succeed, effectively bypassing the application's intended security controls.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. For administrators using affected versions, the primary recommendation is to update Uncanny Automator to a version later than 7.7.1 as soon as possible, where these access control checks have been corrected by the developers. In environments where updating is not immediately feasible, implementing strict input validation and ensuring that all administrative endpoints require explicit verification of high-level user capabilities can provide temporary relief. Additionally, deploying Web Application Firewalls with rules tuned to detect abnormal privilege escalation attempts or unauthorized API calls can help mitigate exploitation risks. Long-term solutions involve adopting a principle of least privilege in software design, where every function explicitly checks the caller's permissions before execution, and conducting regular security audits using static application security testing tools to identify similar access control flaws across the codebase.