CVE-2026-4245 in Post Duplicator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/22/2026
The Post Duplicator plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authorization bypass in all versions up to, and including, 3.0.11. This is due to the `duplicate_post_permissions()` permission callback only verifying the `duplicate_posts` capability without checking whether the requesting user holds `publish_posts` or other status-gated capabilities. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to create duplicate posts with `future` (scheduled, auto-publishes) or `private` status, bypassing editorial review. Additionally, the REST endpoint does not enforce administrator-configured post-type duplication restrictions, allowing duplication of post types that have been explicitly disabled.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2026
The Post Duplicator plugin for WordPress contains a critical authorization bypass vulnerability affecting all versions up to and including 3.0.11. This flaw stems from an insufficient verification mechanism within the duplicate_post_permissions function, which serves as the permission callback for duplicating content. The code exclusively checks if the requesting user possesses the generic duplicate_posts capability but fails to validate whether the user holds higher-level status-gated capabilities such as publish_posts or edit_others_posts. In WordPress role hierarchies, users with Contributor level access and above typically have the ability to create posts, yet they are often restricted from publishing them immediately without editorial review. By neglecting to enforce these additional checks during the duplication process, the plugin allows lower-privileged users to escalate their effective permissions significantly beyond what is intended by site administrators.
This technical deficiency enables authenticated attackers with Contributor-level access or higher to bypass standard editorial workflows and content moderation controls. Specifically, an attacker can create duplicate posts that are automatically assigned a future status, meaning they are scheduled for auto-publishing at a later time without requiring immediate approval from editors or administrators. Similarly, the vulnerability allows the creation of private posts, which may contain sensitive information intended only for specific audiences but are now being generated by users who should not have such privileges. This bypass effectively neutralizes the editorial gatekeeping process designed to maintain content quality and security on WordPress sites that rely on multi-author workflows with strict publishing hierarchies.
Furthermore, the vulnerability extends beyond simple role escalation through its impact on REST API endpoints associated with the plugin. The implementation fails to enforce administrator-configured restrictions regarding which post types are eligible for duplication. Site administrators often configure specific content types to be excluded from duplication features due to data integrity concerns or workflow requirements. However, because the validation logic does not check these configuration settings before processing a request, attackers can duplicate any post type regardless of administrative prohibitions. This lack of enforcement undermines security configurations and allows unauthorized replication of restricted content structures, potentially leading to database inconsistencies or unintended exposure of sensitive metadata associated with those specific post types.
From an industry standards perspective, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-284 Improper Access Control, as the application fails to properly restrict access to resources based on user privileges. It also relates to CWE-732 Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource, since the permission checks are not correctly applied to critical functions that alter system state or content visibility. In terms of attack vectors, this falls under MITRE ATT&CK technique T1098.004 SSH Authorized Key Additional, although more accurately mapped to web-based privilege escalation via improper authorization logic, specifically resembling aspects of T1528 Steal Application Access Token if the REST endpoint is exploited programmatically, or generally fitting within unauthorized access patterns described in common vulnerability taxonomies for CMS plugins.
The operational impact of this flaw includes potential data integrity issues, as duplicate posts may contain outdated or incorrect information that gets published automatically due to the future status bypass. It also poses a significant risk to content governance and compliance, particularly on sites handling regulated or sensitive material where audit trails and approval workflows are mandatory. Attackers can use this vulnerability to flood editorial queues with scheduled spam or malicious content that will publish without human intervention, thereby degrading site reputation and potentially exposing the organization to legal or reputational harm if private data is inadvertently made accessible through improperly duplicated posts.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate upgrading of the Post Duplicator plugin to a version later than 3.0.11 where these permission checks have been corrected to include verification of publish_posts and other relevant status-gated capabilities. Until an update can be applied, site administrators should consider disabling the duplication feature entirely if it is not strictly necessary for their workflow. Additionally, implementing Web Application Firewall rules that monitor for unusual patterns in REST API calls related to post duplication may help detect exploitation attempts. Regular auditing of user roles and permissions within WordPress ensures that only trusted users with appropriate privileges are granted access to content management functions, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries seeking to exploit authorization flaws.