CVE-2026-4261
Received Received - Intake

Privilege Escalation in WordPress Expire Users Plugin

Publication date: 2026-03-21

Last updated on: 2026-03-21

Assigner: Wordfence

Description
The Expire Users plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in all versions up to, and including, 1.2.2. This is due to the plugin allowing a user to update the 'on_expire_default_to_role' meta through the 'save_extra_user_profile_fields' function. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to elevate their privileges to that of an administrator.

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

Probability:
Percentile:

Meta Information

Published
2026-03-21
Last Modified
2026-03-21
Generated
2026-07-06
AI Q&A
2026-03-21
EPSS Evaluated
2026-07-04
NVD
CVE-2026-4261
EUVD
EUVD-2026-14159

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
expire_users expire_users_plugin to 1.2.2 (inc)

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE
CWE Icon
KEV
KEV Icon
CWE ID Description
CWE-862 The product does not perform an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action.

Attack-Flow Graph

AI Quick Actions

Instant insights powered by AI
Executive Summary

The Expire Users plugin for WordPress has a vulnerability that allows privilege escalation. Specifically, in all versions up to and including 1.2.2, the plugin permits users to update the 'on_expire_default_to_role' meta field through the 'save_extra_user_profile_fields' function. This flaw enables authenticated users with Subscriber-level access or higher to elevate their privileges to that of an administrator.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can have a significant impact because it allows an attacker who already has some level of access (Subscriber or above) to gain administrator privileges. With administrator access, the attacker can fully control the WordPress site, including modifying content, installing malicious plugins, stealing sensitive data, or disrupting site operations.

Compliance Impact

I don't know

Detection Guidance

I don't know

Mitigation Strategies

I don't know

Chat Assistant

Ask questions about this CVE
Hi! I’m here to help you understand CVE-2026-4261. Ask me anything about the vulnerability, its impact, or mitigation strategies.
0/70

EPSS Chart