CVE-2026-48884 in User Frontend Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/29/2026
Missing Authorization vulnerability in weDevs WP User Frontend wp-user-frontend allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects WP User Frontend: from n/a through 4.3.13.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2026
The identified security flaw resides within the weDevs WP User Frontend plugin, specifically affecting versions ranging from its initial release up to version 4.3.13. This vulnerability is classified as a Missing Authorization issue, which fundamentally represents an insecure direct object reference or broken access control mechanism where the application fails to verify whether the authenticated user has sufficient privileges to perform a specific action on a given resource. In the context of WordPress plugins that facilitate frontend user registration and profile management, such flaws are particularly critical because they often expose sensitive administrative functions or data manipulation capabilities to standard end-users who should only have limited interaction rights with their own profiles.
Technically, this vulnerability stems from an incorrect configuration of access control security levels within the plugin's codebase. The application logic likely relies on client-side checks or fails to enforce server-side validation when processing requests related to user profile updates, role assignments, or content management features exposed through the frontend interface. By manipulating HTTP parameters such as POST data or URL arguments, an attacker can bypass intended restrictions and execute actions that are reserved for higher-privileged roles, such administrators. This allows unauthorized entities to modify system configurations, alter other users' data, or potentially escalate their own privileges within the WordPress environment without proper authentication checks at the critical decision points of the application logic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for privilege escalation and data integrity compromise. An attacker with low-level access can exploit these misconfigured security levels to gain unauthorized control over website content, steal sensitive user information including personally identifiable information stored in profile fields, or deface the site by modifying public-facing pages through frontend interfaces intended only for regular users. Furthermore, if the plugin interacts with other plugins or core WordPress functions that assume proper authorization checks have occurred, this flaw can serve as a pivot point for broader system compromise, potentially leading to full website takeover depending on the specific capabilities exposed and the configuration of the underlying server environment.
To mitigate this risk, immediate action is required by updating the weDevs WP User Frontend plugin to version 4.3.14 or later, where these access control mechanisms have been corrected. Until an update is applied, administrators should consider disabling the frontend user registration and profile editing features if they are not strictly necessary for their specific use case. Additionally, implementing a Web Application Firewall can help detect and block anomalous requests that attempt to manipulate authorization parameters in unexpected ways. It is also advisable to review server logs for signs of exploitation attempts and ensure that all other plugins and the core WordPress installation are up to date to minimize the attack surface associated with this specific flaw.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-269, which covers Improper Privilege Management, specifically focusing on situations where a user can perform actions beyond their assigned permissions. From an offensive security perspective as defined by MITRE ATT&CK techniques, this behavior corresponds to T1078 Valid Accounts and potentially T1053 Scheduled Task/Job if the exploitation leads to persistent access or automated malicious activities. Understanding these mappings helps in categorizing the severity correctly within vulnerability management programs and ensures that remediation efforts address both the immediate technical flaw and the broader implications for identity and access management policies within the web application ecosystem.