CVE-2026-66701 in Profile Builder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/06/2026
Unauthenticated Broken Access Control in Profile Builder <= 3.16.5 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2026
The vulnerability identified as unauthenticated broken access control in Profile Builder plugin versions up to 3.16.5 represents a critical security flaw that undermines the fundamental principle of access control within web applications. This issue allows unauthorized users to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain access to restricted functionalities that should only be available to authenticated administrators or authorized personnel. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of user permissions and lack of adequate authorization checks within the plugin's codebase, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit the system without proper credentials.
The technical implementation of this flaw manifests through insufficient input validation and missing permission checks in key administrative functions. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform actions such as modifying user profiles, accessing sensitive configuration settings, or executing administrative commands that should require authenticated administrator privileges. The vulnerability exists across multiple endpoints within the Profile Builder plugin where access controls are either completely absent or inadequately enforced, allowing malicious actors to manipulate data and potentially escalate their privileges within the affected system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using WordPress platforms with the affected Profile Builder plugin. The exposure of administrative functions to unauthenticated users can lead to complete system compromise, data breaches, and unauthorized modifications to user accounts or system configurations. Attackers may exploit this weakness to establish persistent backdoors, modify critical user permissions, or exfiltrate sensitive information from the platform. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond immediate access violations to potentially enable broader exploitation within the WordPress ecosystem.
Security professionals should address this vulnerability through immediate patching of the Profile Builder plugin to versions that properly implement authentication checks and access controls. Organizations must also conduct thorough security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify other potential access control weaknesses, as this vulnerability may indicate broader architectural issues within the application's security model. The implementation of proper input validation, comprehensive authorization checks, and regular security audits can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future deployments.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which specifically addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting. The weakness demonstrates how inadequate access control mechanisms can be exploited to achieve unauthorized system access and privilege escalation, making it a critical concern for security administrators responsible for protecting web-based applications. Organizations should implement network segmentation, monitor for suspicious access patterns, and maintain up-to-date security patches to mitigate the risk associated with this class of vulnerability.