CVE-2026-24522 in WP Subscribe Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/23/2026
Missing Authorization vulnerability in MyThemeShop WP Subscribe wp-subscribe allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects WP Subscribe: from n/a through <= 1.2.16.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical access control flaw in the WP Subscribe plugin developed by MyThemeShop, specifically affecting versions through 1.2.16. The issue manifests as a missing authorization check that allows unauthorized users to exploit functionality that should be restricted to authenticated administrators. This misconfiguration creates a pathway for attackers to bypass intended security controls and access protected administrative features. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized individuals to perform privileged actions.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs within the plugin's permission checking mechanisms where critical administrative functions lack proper user authentication verification. Attackers can exploit this by directly accessing endpoints or performing actions that require administrator privileges without first authenticating or verifying their authorization level. This misconfiguration typically results from insufficient input validation and inadequate privilege escalation checks within the plugin's codebase. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform actions such as modifying subscription settings, accessing user data, or manipulating plugin configurations that should only be available to authorized administrators.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially allowing attackers to compromise the entire WordPress installation through the compromised plugin. An attacker could leverage this weakness to escalate privileges, modify content, or establish persistent access to the system. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials use for persistence and privilege escalation. The affected environment becomes vulnerable to various attack vectors including credential theft, data manipulation, and potential lateral movement within the network. Organizations running vulnerable versions of this plugin face significant risk of unauthorized modification of subscription management features and potential exposure of sensitive user data.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the authorization flaw, along with comprehensive security audits of the WordPress installation. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces and monitor for unauthorized access attempts. The recommended approach includes disabling the vulnerable plugin until a patched version is deployed, implementing strong authentication controls, and conducting regular security assessments. Additionally, organizations should review their access control policies and ensure proper privilege separation within their WordPress environments. This vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper access control implementation in web applications, particularly those handling user subscriptions and data management functions.