CVE-2026-32397 in Filter & Grids Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/13/2026
Missing Authorization vulnerability in YMC Filter & Grids ymc-smart-filter allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Filter & Grids: from n/a through <= 3.5.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2026
The CVE-2026-32397 vulnerability represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the YMC Filter & Grids plugin for WordPress systems. This security weakness stems from improperly configured access control mechanisms that fail to validate user permissions before granting access to sensitive administrative functions. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the ymc-smart-filter plugin ranging from the initial release through version 3.5.1, creating a substantial attack surface for malicious actors seeking to exploit weak access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through inadequate input validation and permission checking within the plugin's core functionality. When users interact with the filter and grid management interfaces, the system fails to properly authenticate and authorize requests based on user roles and capabilities. This misconfiguration allows unauthorized users to bypass normal access restrictions and potentially execute administrative operations that should only be available to privileged users. The flaw operates at the application level, specifically within the plugin's authorization framework where it fails to enforce proper role-based access controls.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress installations using the affected plugin. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it may enable attackers to modify filter configurations, manipulate data displays, or even inject malicious code through the compromised administrative interfaces. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can result in data breaches, content manipulation, or full system takeover depending on the attacker's objectives and the broader system configuration.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts usage and T1566.001 for spearphishing via social media. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest plugin version, reviewing and tightening access control configurations, and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. Additionally, security hardening measures such as implementing multi-factor authentication, restricting administrative access through IP whitelisting, and conducting regular security audits of third-party plugins can significantly reduce the risk exposure. The recommended approach involves thorough patch management combined with ongoing security monitoring to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts.