CVE-2026-57721 in ApplyOnline Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/01/2026
Missing Authorization vulnerability in WP Reloaded ApplyOnline allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.
This issue affects ApplyOnline: from n/a through 2.6.7.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2026
The missing authorization vulnerability in WP Reloaded ApplyOnline represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of affected systems. This vulnerability stems from improperly configured access control mechanisms within the plugin's architecture, creating pathways for unauthorized users to bypass legitimate authentication processes. The flaw exists across all versions from the initial release through 2.6.7.6, indicating a long-standing issue that has persisted without adequate remediation. According to CWE-285, this vulnerability falls under incorrect authorization categories where systems fail to properly verify user permissions before granting access to restricted resources or functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to exploit weak access control checks that should normally validate user credentials and privileges before executing sensitive operations. When an attacker can manipulate the plugin's access control logic, they gain unauthorized access to administrative functions, data modification capabilities, or other privileged operations that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. This misconfiguration creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation attacks where unauthenticated or low-privileged users can perform actions typically reserved for administrators or authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to compromise the integrity and confidentiality of systems running affected versions of ApplyOnline. Attackers can exploit this flaw to modify critical application data, inject malicious code, or potentially establish persistent access points within the target environment. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions suggests that organizations may have been exposed for extended periods without awareness of the security gap. This creates significant risk for data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within networks where the vulnerable plugin operates.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of ApplyOnline or applying temporary workarounds such as implementing additional access controls at the web server level. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials usage, as attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access using compromised or stolen credentials. Security teams must also conduct comprehensive audits of all installed plugins and themes to identify similar misconfigurations that could create analogous attack vectors. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual access patterns can help detect exploitation attempts before they result in successful compromises.