Description
Unauthenticated Privilege Escalation in Authorizer <= 3.15.1 versions.
Published: 2026-09-02
Score: 9.8 Critical
EPSS: n/a
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated user to elevate privileges within a WordPress site that uses the Authorizer plugin. By exploiting a missing authentication check in plugin code, an attacker can gain administrative rights. The weakness falls under CWE-266 and could be used to modify site content, install malware, or access sensitive data.

Affected Systems

The issue affects the WordPress Authorizer plugin (developed by Paul Ryan) in all versions up to and including 3.15.1. Any WordPress instance using this plugin version is potentially vulnerable.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 9.8 indicates a critical severity, and the EPSS score is not available. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog. The likely attack vector is an unauthenticated web request that triggers the privilege escalation code within the plugin, which means an attacker does not need credentials to exploit this flaw.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 2, 2026 at 12:27 UTC.

Remediation

Vendor Solution

Update the WordPress Authorizer Plugin to the latest available version (at least 3.15.2).

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Update the WordPress Authorizer Plugin to the latest version, at least 3.15.2
  • Block or restrict access to the plugin’s endpoints by IP-based filtering or a web application firewall until the update is applied
  • Verify that the WordPress web server requires authentication for any admin-level actions and review plugin code for any remaining unauthenticated entry points

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 2, 2026 at 12:27 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 13:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 11:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Unauthenticated Privilege Escalation in Authorizer <= 3.15.1 versions.
Title WordPress Authorizer plugin <= 3.15.1 - Privilege Escalation vulnerability
Weaknesses CWE-266
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Subscriptions

No data.

cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Patchstack

Published:

Updated: 2026-09-02T12:35:11.886Z

Reserved: 2026-08-26T17:33:34.891Z

Link: CVE-2026-81294

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-09-02T12:34:21.313Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Deferred

Published: 2026-09-02T12:17:12.783

Modified: 2026-09-02T13:54:48.797

Link: CVE-2026-81294

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-09-02T12:30:13Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-266

    Incorrect Privilege Assignment