CVE-2026-2301: CWE-862 Missing Authorization in metaphorcreations Post Duplicator
The Post Duplicator plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized arbitrary protected post meta insertion in all versions up to, and including, 3.0.8. This is due to the `duplicate_post()` function in `includes/api.php` using `$wpdb->insert()` directly to the `wp_postmeta` table instead of WordPress's standard `add_post_meta()` function, which would call `is_protected_meta()` to prevent lower-privileged users from setting protected meta keys (those starting with `_`). This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary protected post meta keys such as `_wp_page_template`, `_wp_attached_file`, and other sensitive meta keys on duplicated posts via the `customMetaData` JSON array parameter in the `/wp-json/post-duplicator/v1/duplicate-post` REST API endpoint.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-2301 describes an authorization bypass vulnerability in the Post Duplicator plugin for WordPress (versions up to 3.0.8). The issue arises from the duplicate_post() function in includes/api.php using $wpdb->insert() directly to add post meta data to the wp_postmeta table, instead of using WordPress's add_post_meta() function. The latter would normally invoke is_protected_meta() to prevent lower-privileged users from setting protected meta keys (keys starting with an underscore). As a result, authenticated users with Contributor-level privileges or higher can inject arbitrary protected meta keys such as _wp_page_template or _wp_attached_file on duplicated posts via the customMetaData JSON array parameter in the /wp-json/post-duplicator/v1/duplicate-post REST API endpoint.
Potential Impact
An attacker with Contributor-level or higher access can insert arbitrary protected post meta keys on duplicated posts. This could lead to unauthorized modification of post metadata that is normally restricted, potentially affecting site behavior or content presentation. The vulnerability does not allow direct confidentiality or availability impact but can lead to integrity issues within post metadata.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict Contributor-level access to trusted users only and monitor usage of the Post Duplicator plugin's REST API endpoint. Avoid using the plugin on sites where untrusted users have Contributor or higher privileges.
CVE-2026-2301: CWE-862 Missing Authorization in metaphorcreations Post Duplicator
Description
The Post Duplicator plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized arbitrary protected post meta insertion in all versions up to, and including, 3.0.8. This is due to the `duplicate_post()` function in `includes/api.php` using `$wpdb->insert()` directly to the `wp_postmeta` table instead of WordPress's standard `add_post_meta()` function, which would call `is_protected_meta()` to prevent lower-privileged users from setting protected meta keys (those starting with `_`). This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary protected post meta keys such as `_wp_page_template`, `_wp_attached_file`, and other sensitive meta keys on duplicated posts via the `customMetaData` JSON array parameter in the `/wp-json/post-duplicator/v1/duplicate-post` REST API endpoint.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-2301 describes an authorization bypass vulnerability in the Post Duplicator plugin for WordPress (versions up to 3.0.8). The issue arises from the duplicate_post() function in includes/api.php using $wpdb->insert() directly to add post meta data to the wp_postmeta table, instead of using WordPress's add_post_meta() function. The latter would normally invoke is_protected_meta() to prevent lower-privileged users from setting protected meta keys (keys starting with an underscore). As a result, authenticated users with Contributor-level privileges or higher can inject arbitrary protected meta keys such as _wp_page_template or _wp_attached_file on duplicated posts via the customMetaData JSON array parameter in the /wp-json/post-duplicator/v1/duplicate-post REST API endpoint.
Potential Impact
An attacker with Contributor-level or higher access can insert arbitrary protected post meta keys on duplicated posts. This could lead to unauthorized modification of post metadata that is normally restricted, potentially affecting site behavior or content presentation. The vulnerability does not allow direct confidentiality or availability impact but can lead to integrity issues within post metadata.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict Contributor-level access to trusted users only and monitor usage of the Post Duplicator plugin's REST API endpoint. Avoid using the plugin on sites where untrusted users have Contributor or higher privileges.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Wordfence
- Date Reserved
- 2026-02-10T18:17:31.628Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 699ec3cbb7ef31ef0bf52b0d
Added to database: 2/25/2026, 9:41:31 AM
Last enriched: 4/9/2026, 11:27:32 AM
Last updated: 4/11/2026, 3:07:53 PM
Views: 96
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