CVE-2026-96526 in MCP Server Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/26/2026
The MCP Server for WordPress WordPress plugin before 1.8.2 does not perform an object-level authorization check on one of its workflow REST routes, allowing users with the Contributor role to disclose the title and publication status of any post, page or custom post type, including other users' private, draft, pending and scheduled content.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2026
The vulnerability identified in the MCP Server for WordPress plugin prior to version 1.8.2 represents a critical failure in access control mechanisms within the application's REST API implementation. Specifically, the flaw resides in one of the workflow-related endpoints which fails to enforce object-level authorization checks before processing requests. In secure web applications, particularly those built on frameworks like WordPress that handle sensitive content management operations, it is imperative that every request targeting a specific resource verifies not only the user's general role but also their permission relative to the specific item being accessed. The absence of this check creates an insecure direct object reference scenario where the system trusts client-supplied identifiers without validating whether the authenticated user has legitimate ownership or administrative rights over those objects.
This technical deficiency allows attackers with relatively low-privilege accounts, such as users assigned the Contributor role in WordPress, to bypass intended security boundaries. Typically, Contributors are restricted from viewing private content belonging to other users and lack permissions to modify posts created by administrators or editors. However, due to this authorization flaw, a malicious contributor can craft specific HTTP requests targeting arbitrary post IDs associated with any custom post type, page, or standard blog entry. By exploiting the unvalidated endpoint, these low-privileged actors can retrieve metadata including the title of the content and its current publication status regardless of whether that content is marked as private, draft, pending review, or scheduled for future release.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage, potentially facilitating further attacks against the WordPress installation. Disclosure of post titles and statuses provides attackers with valuable intelligence about the site's structure and ongoing activities. For instance, identifying unpublished drafts may reveal planned features, internal communications, or sensitive business information that has not yet been made public. Knowledge of scheduled posts can aid in timing future exploits or understanding content strategies. Furthermore, this unauthorized access violates fundamental principles of data confidentiality and integrity, potentially leading to non-compliance with regulatory standards such as GDPR if personal data is contained within the exposed private posts.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-284 Improper Access Control, specifically reflecting issues related to insufficient authorization checks for specific objects rather than just general role-based access control failures. It also maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, as it leverages legitimate but low-level credentials to perform unauthorized actions, and potentially T1530 Data from Cloud Storage if the exposed content is considered stored data accessible via API endpoints. The exploitation does not require complex injection techniques or buffer overflows; instead, it relies on logical errors in server-side request handling, making it straightforward for automated scanning tools to detect and exploit across large numbers of installations running vulnerable versions.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate remediation through software updates. Administrators should upgrade the MCP Server for WordPress plugin to version 1.8.2 or later where this authorization logic has been corrected. In environments where patching is not immediately feasible, temporary mitigations include restricting access to REST API endpoints via web application firewalls by validating user roles against specific endpoint requirements and ensuring that only authenticated users with appropriate capabilities can interact with workflow-related routes. Additionally, implementing strict logging and monitoring for unusual patterns of post metadata retrieval by low-privilege accounts can help detect ongoing exploitation attempts while permanent fixes are deployed. Regular security audits focusing on object-level authorization checks across all custom REST endpoints are recommended to prevent similar logical flaws in future development cycles.