CVE-2026-14205 in Events Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/07/2026
The WP Events Manager WordPress plugin before 2.2.5 does not validate the requested quantity when registering for a paid event and computes the price from the attacker-controlled quantity, allowing any authenticated user to create a completed booking for a paid event without making a payment.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2026
The vulnerability in WP Events Manager plugin versions prior to 2.2.5 represents a critical business logic flaw that undermines the payment processing mechanism for event registrations. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the booking system where the plugin fails to properly validate the quantity parameter submitted during event registration requests. The flaw allows authenticated users to manipulate the quantity field in their booking requests, enabling them to submit arbitrary values that directly influence the computed price calculation without proper authorization checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the application level where the plugin's booking processing logic accepts attacker-controlled input without adequate validation or sanitization. When users attempt to register for paid events, the system should verify that the quantity parameter falls within acceptable ranges and that appropriate payment processing occurs based on the validated values. However, the vulnerable code path directly incorporates user-supplied quantity data into price calculations without proper bounds checking or authorization verification, creating a scenario where malicious actors can manipulate the booking amount to zero or minimal values.
From an operational perspective this vulnerability enables unauthorized free access to paid event registrations, potentially resulting in significant financial losses for event organizers and platform operators. The impact extends beyond simple monetary loss as it compromises the integrity of the entire booking system and could lead to reputation damage for the platform hosting the vulnerable plugin. Attackers with valid user accounts can exploit this weakness repeatedly to register for multiple paid events without payment, effectively bypassing the commercial transaction flow entirely.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, which specifically addresses issues where applications fail to validate or sanitize input data before processing it. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004: Valid Accounts, as it requires only legitimate user authentication to exploit the weakness rather than complex credential theft or privilege escalation attacks. Organizations using this plugin should immediately implement mitigations including patching to version 2.2.5 or later, implementing additional validation controls on booking quantity parameters, and monitoring for suspicious booking patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of proper input validation in commercial web applications where financial transactions occur. Event management systems typically handle sensitive payment data and require robust security controls to prevent unauthorized access or manipulation of transactional processes. Security practitioners should consider implementing additional layers of protection such as transaction logging, anomaly detection for unusual booking patterns, and regular security audits of third-party plugins to identify similar business logic flaws that could compromise commercial services.
Organizations relying on WordPress platforms with event management capabilities must prioritize patch management and security monitoring to prevent exploitation of this type of vulnerability. The remediation process should include not only applying the official plugin update but also implementing comprehensive testing procedures to ensure no other similar weaknesses exist within the event registration system or related payment processing components. Continuous monitoring of user booking activities and implementation of automated alerts for suspicious transaction patterns can help detect and respond to exploitation attempts before significant financial damage occurs.
The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly simple business logic flaws can create substantial security risks in commercial applications, particularly those handling financial transactions. Proper code review processes that include input validation testing, authorization checks, and business rule enforcement should be implemented to prevent similar issues. Security teams should also consider conducting penetration testing focused on transactional workflows to identify potential manipulation points within event registration systems and other commercial web applications.