CVE-2026-25368 in Calculated Fields Form Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/19/2026
Missing Authorization vulnerability in codepeople Calculated Fields Form calculated-fields-form allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Calculated Fields Form: from n/a through <= 5.4.4.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2026
The CVE-2026-25368 vulnerability represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the codepeople Calculated Fields Form plugin, specifically impacting versions through 5.4.4.1. This vulnerability stems from incorrectly configured access control security levels that allow unauthorized users to exploit functionality they should not have access to. The issue manifests as a failure in the plugin's authorization mechanisms, where proper security checks are either absent or improperly implemented, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and unauthorized data manipulation. Such vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-285 category of Improper Authorization, which is a fundamental security weakness that allows attackers to perform actions they should not be permitted to execute. The vulnerability directly impacts the plugin's ability to enforce proper access controls, potentially allowing users with lower privileges to access restricted features or data that should only be available to administrators or authorized personnel.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin fails to validate user permissions before executing sensitive operations or exposing protected functionality. Attackers can leverage this flaw to bypass normal access control restrictions, potentially gaining access to form calculations, data processing capabilities, or administrative functions that are typically restricted to authorized users only. This misconfiguration creates a security boundary failure where the plugin does not properly verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary privileges to perform the requested action. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as data manipulation, information disclosure, or even complete system compromise if the plugin's functionality allows for broader system interactions. The flaw represents a classic example of how insufficient access control validation can create persistent security risks that remain undetected until exploited by malicious actors.
The operational impact of CVE-2026-25368 can be severe for organizations relying on the Calculated Fields Form plugin for their web applications or content management systems. Unauthorized users may gain access to sensitive form processing capabilities, potentially allowing them to manipulate calculation results, access protected data, or interfere with the normal operation of forms that handle critical information. This vulnerability can lead to data integrity issues, unauthorized information disclosure, and potential service disruption if attackers exploit the access control bypass to modify form configurations or processing logic. The security implications extend to compliance violations, particularly in environments governed by regulations such as gdpr, hipaa, or pci dss, where proper access controls are mandatory for protecting sensitive data. Organizations may face significant operational risks including reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and potential legal consequences if this vulnerability is exploited to compromise system integrity or data confidentiality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the affected plugin versions to address the authorization flaw. Organizations must ensure that all instances of the Calculated Fields Form plugin are updated to versions that properly implement access control checks and authorization validation. System administrators should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and monitor for unusual access patterns or unauthorized modifications to form configurations. The implementation of additional security controls such as web application firewalls, proper user role management, and regular security audits can help reduce the risk exposure while patches are being deployed. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and privilege minimization principles to limit the potential impact if the vulnerability is exploited. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers may use compromised accounts or social engineering to exploit the authorization bypass and gain unauthorized access to protected functionality. Organizations should also implement proper monitoring and logging of access attempts to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts more effectively.