CVE-2026-61971 in User Profile Picture Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/13/2026
Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key vulnerability in Cozmoslabs User Profile Picture metronet-profile-picture allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects User Profile Picture: from n/a through <= 2.6.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical authorization bypass flaw classified as CWE-285, where an attacker can manipulate access controls through user-controlled input parameters. The Cozmoslabs User Profile Picture plugin for WordPress suffers from incorrectly configured access control security levels that allow unauthorized users to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain access to restricted functionality. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions prior to 2.6.4, with the affected range spanning from version n/a through 2.6.3, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple releases. The flaw occurs when user-controlled keys are improperly validated during profile picture operations, enabling malicious actors to manipulate authorization checks and access content they should not be permitted to view or modify.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user inputs within the plugin's access control mechanisms. When users interact with profile picture functionality, the system relies on keys or tokens that should normally be validated against proper authentication checkpoints. However, due to inadequate input sanitization and validation routines, attackers can supply manipulated key values that bypass normal authorization flows. This misconfiguration allows attackers to perform operations such as viewing restricted profile information, modifying user data, or accessing administrative functions without proper credentials. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various attack vectors including direct API calls, parameter manipulation, or crafted requests that leverage the incorrectly configured access control points.
The operational impact of this authorization bypass vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to potentially enable more severe compromise scenarios within WordPress environments. Attackers can exploit this flaw to escalate privileges, access sensitive user information, or manipulate profile data across multiple user accounts. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions suggests a fundamental design flaw in the plugin's access control implementation rather than a temporary coding error. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to user profiles and potentially broader system compromise if the WordPress installation lacks additional security layers. Security monitoring becomes particularly critical as this vulnerability may allow attackers to remain undetected while performing unauthorized operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching to version 2.6.4 or later where the access control issues have been addressed through proper input validation and authentication enforcement. Administrators should conduct thorough security audits of their WordPress installations to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure all plugins are updated to their latest secure versions. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious parameter manipulation patterns, enforcing strict input validation rules at the application level, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar misconfigurations in other plugins or themes. Organizations should also consider implementing role-based access controls and monitoring systems that can alert administrators to unauthorized access attempts. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions while maintaining proper authorization enforcement throughout the system.