Description
The Advanced Custom Fields: Extended WordPress plugin before 0.9.2.7 does not verify that the requester is authorized to edit the targeted user account in the update-user action of its front-end Forms module; it only checks a capability when the submitted role is administrator or super_admin. On a site that exposes a publicly reachable front-end form whose user-update action targets an existing administrator (a fixed target, or one mapped to a visitor-submitted field) and maps the password to a visitor-submitted field, an unauthenticated visitor can overwrite that administrator's password and take over the account. The default target is the submitting user, so exploitation depends on the form being configured to target another account.
Published: 2026-09-02
Score: n/a
EPSS: n/a
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

The Advanced Custom Fields: Extended WordPress plugin, before 0.9.2.7, has a missing authorization check in its front‑end Forms module. When an unauthenticated user submits a user‑update request that targets an existing administrator account, the plugin only verifies the caller’s capability if the submitted role field is set to administrator or super_admin. In other cases it blindly accepts the request, allowing the attacker to overwrite the administrator’s password and take full control of the account. This flaw effectively turns the front‑end form into a backdoor for a privileged account.

Affected Systems

WordPress sites running Advanced Custom Fields: Extended plugins older than version 0.9.2.7, especially those exposing a publicly reachable front‑end form that can target administrator accounts or map the password field to visitor input. Sites that use a visitor‑submittable field to dictate the target account are also at risk if the form is configured to target a different user than the submitter.

Risk and Exploitability

The vulnerability allows remote, unauthenticated attackers to gain full administrative privileges. While the CVSS score is not disclosed in the available data, the impact is severe due to the privilege escalation. EPSS scoring is unavailable, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, but the lack of authorization checks makes exploitation straightforward for anyone who can reach the front‑end form. The attack vector is likely through a published website with the vulnerable form, and it requires no additional credentials beyond form submission ability.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 2, 2026 at 07:24 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Apply the latest Advanced Custom Fields: Extended plugin version 0.9.2.7 or later.
  • Configure front‑end forms to target only the submitting user and not any existing administrator or other high‑privilege accounts.
  • If an immediate update is not possible, disable or remove the front‑end user‑update feature to block unauthenticated access.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 2, 2026 at 07:24 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 07:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-284
CWE-285

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description The Advanced Custom Fields: Extended WordPress plugin before 0.9.2.7 does not verify that the requester is authorized to edit the targeted user account in the update-user action of its front-end Forms module; it only checks a capability when the submitted role is administrator or super_admin. On a site that exposes a publicly reachable front-end form whose user-update action targets an existing administrator (a fixed target, or one mapped to a visitor-submitted field) and maps the password to a visitor-submitted field, an unauthenticated visitor can overwrite that administrator's password and take over the account. The default target is the submitting user, so exploitation depends on the form being configured to target another account.
Title Advanced Custom Fields: Extended < 0.9.2.7 - Unauthenticated Administrator Account Takeover via Front-End User Update Action
References

Subscriptions

No data.

cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: WPScan

Published:

Updated: 2026-09-02T06:00:16.212Z

Reserved: 2026-06-17T13:40:57.051Z

Link: CVE-2026-12526

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-09-02T06:17:15.817

Modified: 2026-09-02T06:17:15.817

Link: CVE-2026-12526

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-09-02T07:30:18Z

Weaknesses