CVE-2026-96518 in ProfilePress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/09/2026
Missing Authorization vulnerability in properfraction ProfilePress wp-user-avatar allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects ProfilePress: from n/a through 4.17.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2026
The identified security flaw represents a critical failure in access control mechanisms within the ProfilePress plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions ranging from initial releases up to version 4.17.3. This vulnerability is classified as an improper authorization issue where the application fails to enforce adequate restrictions on authenticated users regarding specific profile and avatar management functions. In web applications, proper authorization ensures that a user can only access resources or perform actions for which they have explicit permission. The flaw in ProfilePress allows attackers who possess valid credentials to bypass these intended security boundaries, effectively granting them elevated privileges or the ability to manipulate data belonging to other users without appropriate verification of their rights relative to those specific assets.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability stems from insufficient checks on server-side logic when handling requests related to user profile modifications and avatar uploads. When an authenticated user interacts with endpoints designed for updating personal information or changing display images, the application does not adequately validate whether the requesting user is the legitimate owner of that account data. This oversight creates a path for insecure direct object references where an attacker can modify request parameters such as user IDs to target other accounts within the system. The absence of robust server-side validation allows malicious actors to exploit this misconfiguration by sending crafted HTTP requests that alter profile details or upload avatars on behalf of victims, thereby circumventing standard role-based access controls intended to isolate user data and actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it compromises both the confidentiality and integrity of user data within a WordPress environment. Attackers can use this flaw to perform account takeover activities by altering email addresses or passwords associated with victim accounts if such endpoints are exposed through the flawed logic. Furthermore, the ability to upload arbitrary avatars may facilitate phishing campaigns where attackers impersonate legitimate users by changing their profile pictures to misleading images. This erosion of trust undermines the integrity of user interactions and can lead to broader security incidents including social engineering attacks or reputation damage for affected organizations relying on this plugin for membership management.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes Improper Access Control, indicating a failure in the application's ability to restrict access to resources based on defined policies. It also maps closely to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1078, specifically Valid Accounts, as exploitation requires initial authentication but leverages misconfigured permissions to escalate privileges or perform unauthorized actions. To mitigate this risk, administrators should immediately update ProfilePress to a version later than 4.17.3 where these authorization checks have been corrected by the developers. In cases where immediate patching is not feasible, implementing strict input validation and ensuring that all profile modification endpoints verify ownership of the target resource against the authenticated session's user ID can provide temporary relief. Regular security audits and monitoring for anomalous changes to user profiles are also recommended to detect potential exploitation attempts early in the attack lifecycle.