CVE-2026-42689 in Events Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/12/2026
Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization ('Race Condition') vulnerability in Pixelite Events Manager events-manager allows Leveraging Race Conditions.This issue affects Events Manager: from n/a through 7.4.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2026
The identified security flaw represents a classic race condition within the Pixelite Events Manager plugin, specifically categorized under CWE-362 as Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization. This vulnerability arises when multiple threads or processes access shared data structures concurrently without adequate locking mechanisms to ensure atomicity of operations. In the context of web applications and WordPress plugins like Events Manager, this typically manifests during high-concurrency scenarios where requests are processed simultaneously by different users or automated scripts. The core technical issue lies in the failure to properly synchronize access to critical resources such as database records representing event registrations, ticket inventory counts, or user session states. When synchronization is absent or implemented incorrectly, a Time-of-Check-to-Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) condition can occur. An attacker can exploit this by sending multiple concurrent requests that appear legitimate individually but collectively manipulate the state of the system in unintended ways. For instance, an attacker might attempt to register for an event with limited capacity by submitting several registration forms simultaneously before the database commit completes for any single request, potentially allowing more registrations than physically possible or bypassing validation checks designed to prevent duplicate entries or unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant and varies based on the specific functionality affected within the Events Manager plugin versions ranging from n/a through 7.4.7. If the race condition affects ticket sales or event capacity management, it can lead to overselling tickets, resulting in financial loss for organizers and customer dissatisfaction due to denied entry despite successful payment processing. In scenarios involving user roles or permissions, a race condition could allow an attacker to escalate privileges by manipulating session data or role assignment processes before security checks are finalized. This aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework technique T1059, Command and Scripting Interpreter, if the exploitation leads to arbitrary code execution through manipulated input that bypasses validation due to timing issues. Furthermore, it relates to T1136, Create Account, if the vulnerability allows unauthorized account creation or modification of existing user attributes by exploiting gaps in concurrent session handling. The lack of proper synchronization means that the application state becomes unpredictable under load, potentially leading to data corruption where event details, attendee lists, or payment records are left in an inconsistent state after a failed transaction attempt.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. For administrators using affected versions up to 7.4.7, the primary recommendation is to update the Events Manager plugin to the latest patched version where these synchronization issues have been resolved by the vendor. If updating is not immediately feasible, implementing rate limiting at the web server or application firewall level can reduce the likelihood of triggering concurrent execution paths that exploit this flaw. Additionally, deploying a Web Application Firewall with rules designed to detect and block abnormal request patterns indicative of race condition attacks provides an effective layer of defense in depth. From a development perspective, ensuring all database operations involving shared resources are wrapped in proper transactional locks or using optimistic concurrency control mechanisms can prevent these issues from recurring in custom code. Developers should also implement idempotency keys for critical actions such as payments and registrations to ensure that duplicate requests do not result in multiple state changes. Regular security audits focusing on concurrent access patterns and stress testing under high load conditions are essential to identify similar synchronization flaws before they reach production environments, thereby maintaining the integrity and reliability of event management systems against sophisticated timing-based attacks.