CVE-2026-42657 in Contest Gallery Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2026
Unauthenticated Other Vulnerability Type in Contest Gallery <= 28.1.7 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2026
The Contest Gallery plugin for WordPress versions 28.1.7 and earlier contain an unauthenticated vulnerability that allows attackers to perform unauthorized actions within the application. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of access control flaws and represents a significant security risk for WordPress installations. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to exploit the plugin without requiring valid authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the web application.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient authorization checks within the plugin's code implementation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform various malicious activities including but not limited to data manipulation, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential privilege escalation within the affected system. The vulnerability exists due to improper validation of user inputs and lack of proper access controls that should normally be enforced before executing sensitive operations. This weakness allows unauthorized users to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and directly interact with the plugin's functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially enabling full system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to modify contest entries, manipulate gallery content, or even gain administrative privileges within the WordPress environment. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit means that no prior login credentials are required, making detection and prevention more challenging for system administrators. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles of authentication and authorization, creating a persistent threat vector that remains active until properly patched.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest plugin version where the vulnerability has been addressed. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285 which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems. Additionally, this weakness corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls and access control lists to limit exposure. Regular security audits and monitoring for unusual access patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. The patching process should be prioritized as this vulnerability represents a critical risk that can lead to complete system compromise when exploited by malicious actors.