CVE-2026-97070 in Cozy Blocks Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/05/2026
Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key vulnerability in CozyThemes Cozy Blocks cozy-addons allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Cozy Blocks: from n/a through 2.2.23.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a critical failure in access control mechanisms within the CozyBlocks plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions ranging from initial releases up to version 2.2.23. This flaw is classified as an Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key, which indicates that the application fails to properly validate whether a user has the necessary permissions to perform specific actions before executing them. The core technical issue lies in how the plugin handles input parameters related to access control levels. Instead of relying on server-side session data or robust authentication tokens to determine privilege levels, the system accepts and trusts keys provided directly by the client side. This architectural decision creates a significant security gap where an attacker can manipulate these user-controlled inputs to escalate their privileges arbitrarily. By altering specific identifiers in HTTP requests, malicious actors can bypass intended restrictions and access administrative functions or sensitive data that should be reserved for authorized users only.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability exploits the principle of insecure direct object references combined with flawed authorization logic. When a request is made to perform an action within the CozyBlocks environment, the application checks a key value supplied by the user rather than verifying the current session's actual permissions against a secure backend database or configuration store. This allows for privilege escalation attacks where a low-privileged user can modify parameters in their requests to mimic those of an administrator. The impact is severe because it effectively nullifies the authentication layer, allowing unauthorized individuals to execute administrative commands, modify site configurations, inject malicious code through plugin settings, or access private content. In many cases, such vulnerabilities serve as entry points for further exploitation, including cross-site scripting if the manipulated data is reflected in responses without proper sanitization, or remote code execution if the elevated privileges allow modification of executable files on the server.
This type of vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-284, which describes Improper Access Control, and specifically relates to CWE-639 regarding Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key. In terms of offensive security frameworks, this behavior maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1078, Valid Accounts, as it involves the misuse of legitimate credentials or access mechanisms to gain unauthorized privileges. It also falls under T1548, Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism, because the attacker is manipulating the system's elevation controls to achieve a higher level of authority than granted by their initial authentication state. The operational impact extends beyond simple data theft; it compromises the integrity and availability of the entire WordPress installation. Attackers can deface websites, install backdoors for persistent access, or use the compromised server as part of a botnet, leading to significant reputational damage and potential legal liabilities under regulations like GDPR if personal data is exposed through these elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies must focus on implementing strict server-side validation for all authorization checks. Developers should ensure that privilege verification relies exclusively on secure session management systems rather than client-supplied parameters. Every action requiring administrative access must be validated against the user's role stored in a trusted, immutable source within the application backend. Additionally, adopting the principle of least privilege ensures that even if an attacker manages to bypass initial checks, their ability to cause harm is limited by default permissions. For users currently running affected versions, immediate upgrading to version 2.2.24 or later is essential as this release addresses the flawed access control logic. Until updates are applied, administrators should enforce strong password policies and monitor server logs for unusual patterns of request manipulation that might indicate active exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing can further identify similar architectural weaknesses in other plugins to prevent broader compromise of the web application infrastructure.