CVE-2026-80338
Deferred Deferred - Pending Action

Privilege Escalation via AJAX in CMB2 WordPress Plugin

Publication date: 2026-09-24

Last updated on: 2026-09-24

Assigner: WPScan

Description
The CMB2 WordPress plugin before 2.13.0 does not perform any capability check on one of its AJAX actions, allowing users with a role as low as Subscriber to create arbitrary WordPress options and corrupt existing ones, which can break core site settings and take the site offline. Exploitation requires the site's or another CMB2 WordPress plugin before 2.13.0 to have declared an oEmbed field, as the CMB2 WordPress plugin before 2.13.0 registers none of its own. The stored value is never attacker-controlled, so the issue does not lead to privilege escalation.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-09-24
Last Modified
2026-09-24
Generated
2026-10-14
AI Q&A
2026-09-24
EPSS Evaluated
2026-10-13
NVD
CVE-2026-80338
EUVD
EUVD-2026-85795

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
cmb2 plugin to 2.13.0 (exc)

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE
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KEV
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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.

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability affects the CMB2 WordPress plugin versions before 2.13.0. It allows users with Subscriber-level access or higher to exploit an AJAX action without proper capability checks. This lets attackers create arbitrary WordPress options or corrupt existing ones, potentially breaking core site settings and causing the site to go offline.

Detection Guidance

Check the installed version of the CMB2 WordPress plugin. If it is below 2.13.0, the system is vulnerable. Use commands like 'wp plugin list' in WordPress CLI or inspect the plugin files directly.

Impact Analysis

The impact includes site downtime due to corrupted settings, loss of functionality, and potential disruption of core WordPress features. However, privilege escalation is not possible as stored values are not attacker-controlled.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability primarily impacts site availability and integrity rather than direct data exposure. By allowing unauthorized users to corrupt WordPress options, it could disrupt core site functions, potentially violating compliance requirements for uptime and data integrity in standards like GDPR or HIPAA. However, the issue does not lead to privilege escalation or direct data theft, which are common compliance concerns.

Mitigation Strategies

Update the CMB2 plugin to version 2.13.0 or later immediately. If updating is not possible, remove the plugin temporarily until an update is available.

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