CVE-2026-6079 in Material Dashboard Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/05/2026
The Material Dashboard plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access and modification of data due to missing capability checks on the amd_ajax_target_task_manager() function in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.10. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to enumerate all scheduled tasks (potentially exposing PII), execute arbitrary tasks, and delete any task via the public_amd_ajax_handler AJAX action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2026
The Material Dashboard plugin for WordPress presents a critical security vulnerability that undermines the integrity and confidentiality of user data through improper access controls. This flaw exists within the amd_ajax_target_task_manager() function across all versions up to and including 1.4.10, creating an unauthorized attack surface that allows malicious actors to exploit the system without authentication. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper capability checks that should verify user permissions before executing sensitive operations, effectively removing any barriers between attackers and critical system functions.
The technical implementation of this flaw enables unauthenticated adversaries to leverage the public_amd_ajax_handler AJAX action as a conduit for malicious activities. This specific endpoint lacks authentication verification mechanisms, allowing attackers to submit crafted requests that trigger the underlying task management functionality. The vulnerability manifests in three primary attack vectors: enumeration of scheduled tasks that may contain personally identifiable information, execution of arbitrary tasks that could compromise system integrity, and deletion capabilities that can disrupt operational workflows. These operations occur without any user authentication or authorization verification, making the entire task management system accessible to anyone who can reach the plugin's AJAX endpoint.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass complete system compromise potential. Attackers can systematically enumerate scheduled tasks to discover sensitive information patterns that may include personal data, system configurations, or operational details that could facilitate further attacks. The ability to execute arbitrary tasks opens pathways for privilege escalation, data manipulation, and potentially remote code execution depending on the nature of the tasks being invoked. Furthermore, the deletion capability allows attackers to disrupt legitimate operations by removing critical scheduled processes, leading to service degradation or complete system failure.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a direct violation of fundamental access control principles that align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems. The flaw represents an authentication bypass that enables unauthorized users to perform privileged operations through the application's public interface. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1078 for valid accounts usage and T1566 for social engineering through compromised applications. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the affected AJAX endpoint, implementing proper authentication checks, or upgrading to patched versions where available, while monitoring for potential exploitation attempts in their system logs.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of validating user permissions at every interface point within web applications. This flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor security oversights in plugin development can create substantial attack vectors that compromise entire systems. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that even well-established platforms like WordPress require continuous security monitoring and validation of third-party components to maintain overall system integrity and protect against unauthorized access to sensitive data and operations.