CVE-2026-54852 in Page Restriction Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/29/2026
Missing Authorization vulnerability in miniOrange Page Restriction WordPress (WP) page-and-post-restriction allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Page Restriction WordPress (WP): from n/a through 1.6.1.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2026
The identified security flaw represents a critical failure in access control mechanisms within the miniOrange Page Restriction plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions ranging from initial releases up to version 1.6.1. This vulnerability is classified as an improper authorization issue where the application fails to enforce appropriate restrictions on user actions based on their assigned roles or permissions. In a typical web application architecture, access control decisions must be made consistently at every point of interaction with sensitive resources. However, in this instance, the plugin does not adequately verify whether the authenticated user possesses the necessary privileges before allowing them to modify page restriction settings or view restricted content configurations. This oversight creates an opportunity for attackers who have obtained valid credentials but hold lower-level roles, such as subscribers or contributors, to escalate their effective permissions by manipulating requests intended for administrators.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability stems from insecure direct object references and insufficient server-side validation of user capabilities. When the plugin processes administrative actions related to page restriction rules, it relies on client-supplied data without cross-referencing against the current user's role in the WordPress database. Consequently, an attacker can craft specific HTTP requests that bypass frontend interface limitations and directly invoke backend functions responsible for changing access control policies. This type of flaw is commonly associated with CWE-284, which describes Improper Access Control, indicating that the software does not properly restrict actions performed by unauthorized actors. The absence of robust session validation or capability checks allows low-privileged users to interact with administrative endpoints as if they were site administrators, effectively neutralizing the security boundaries established by the platform's role-based access control system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, particularly for websites that rely on granular content restriction features to protect sensitive information from public view or lower-tier user groups. An attacker exploiting this flaw can alter page and post restrictions, potentially exposing confidential data such as member-only articles, private documents, or restricted media files to unauthorized audiences. Furthermore, the ability to modify access control settings may allow an attacker to disable security measures entirely for specific pages, creating backdoors that persist even after other security plugins are updated or configured correctly. This undermines the integrity of the entire site's security posture and can lead to data breaches, reputational damage, and non-compliance with regulatory standards regarding data protection. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078, Valid Accounts, as it leverages legitimate credentials but abuses them through improper authorization logic rather than credential theft or brute force attacks.
To mitigate this risk, immediate action is required to update the miniOrange Page Restriction plugin to a version that addresses these access control deficiencies. Developers and site administrators should ensure that all plugins are kept up-to-date with the latest security patches provided by vendors. In addition to updating software, implementing defense-in-depth strategies such as Web Application Firewalls can help detect and block anomalous requests that attempt to manipulate administrative functions without proper authorization headers or session tokens. Regular audits of user roles and permissions within the WordPress environment should also be conducted to minimize the attack surface available to lower-privileged users. By enforcing strict server-side validation for all administrative actions and ensuring that access control checks are performed consistently across all endpoints, organizations can significantly reduce the likelihood of exploitation and maintain the confidentiality and integrity of their web applications.