CVE-2026-57694 in Tutor LMS Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/13/2026
Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key vulnerability in Themeum Tutor LMS tutor allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Tutor LMS: from n/a through <= 3.9.13.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2026
This authorization bypass vulnerability stems from incorrectly configured access control security levels within the Themeum Tutor LMS platform, specifically affecting versions up to and including 3.9.13. The flaw allows authenticated users to manipulate access control parameters through user-controlled keys, effectively circumventing intended security boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-285 category of Improper Authorization, where the system fails to properly enforce access restrictions for resources or functions that are restricted to specific user roles or permissions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Tutor LMS plugin processes user inputs that control key access parameters without proper validation or authorization checks. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious requests that manipulate authentication tokens, session identifiers, or role-based access controls through parameters that should be protected from user manipulation. The vulnerability essentially allows users to escalate their privileges or access restricted content that they would normally not have permission to view or modify.
The operational impact of this authorization bypass is significant as it can enable attackers with basic user accounts to gain elevated privileges within the learning management system. This could result in unauthorized access to student records, course materials, grading information, and administrative functions. The vulnerability affects the core security model of the platform, potentially allowing attackers to impersonate administrators or instructors, modify course content, delete user accounts, or access sensitive educational data that should remain protected.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and access control enforcement throughout the Tutor LMS plugin codebase. Security measures include strengthening parameter validation for all user-controlled inputs that influence access decisions, implementing robust session management with proper token handling, and ensuring that role-based access controls are enforced server-side rather than relying on client-side checks. Organizations should also consider applying immediate patches or updates from Themeum to address this vulnerability, while implementing network-level monitoring to detect suspicious access patterns. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through unauthorized access to system resources.
The root cause of this issue demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the security architecture where user-controllable parameters are not properly sanitized or validated before being used to make authorization decisions. This vulnerability represents a classic example of insecure direct object references where attackers can manipulate parameters that control access to protected resources, leading to unauthorized data access and system compromise. Regular security audits and code reviews focusing on authentication and authorization mechanisms should be implemented to prevent similar issues in the future, particularly when dealing with plugin architectures that extend core system functionality.
Organizations utilizing Tutor LMS should conduct immediate risk assessment to identify any potential exploitation of this vulnerability within their environments. The impact extends beyond simple data access as it could lead to complete system compromise if attackers can leverage this bypass to modify critical system components or manipulate educational records. Security teams must also consider the broader implications for data privacy regulations and compliance requirements that may be violated through unauthorized access to student information. Implementing proper security monitoring and logging of access control decisions will help detect and respond to exploitation attempts while maintaining audit trails for regulatory compliance purposes.