CVE-2026-4261: CWE-862 Missing Authorization in husobj Expire Users
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.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-4261 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in the Expire Users plugin for WordPress. The plugin fails to properly authorize changes to the 'on_expire_default_to_role' user meta field through the 'save_extra_user_profile_fields' function. As a result, any authenticated user with at least Subscriber-level permissions can modify this field to escalate their privileges to administrator. This affects all versions up to and including 1.2.2 of the plugin.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker with Subscriber-level access or higher to gain administrator privileges on the affected WordPress site. This can lead to full site compromise, including control over content, user management, and site configuration. The CVSS v3.1 score is 8.8 (High), reflecting the network attack vector, low attack complexity, required privileges, no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, restrict plugin usage to trusted users only or disable the Expire Users plugin if possible. Monitor for updates from the plugin vendor or WordPress plugin repository and apply patches promptly once available.
CVE-2026-4261: CWE-862 Missing Authorization in husobj Expire Users
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.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-4261 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in the Expire Users plugin for WordPress. The plugin fails to properly authorize changes to the 'on_expire_default_to_role' user meta field through the 'save_extra_user_profile_fields' function. As a result, any authenticated user with at least Subscriber-level permissions can modify this field to escalate their privileges to administrator. This affects all versions up to and including 1.2.2 of the plugin.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker with Subscriber-level access or higher to gain administrator privileges on the affected WordPress site. This can lead to full site compromise, including control over content, user management, and site configuration. The CVSS v3.1 score is 8.8 (High), reflecting the network attack vector, low attack complexity, required privileges, no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, restrict plugin usage to trusted users only or disable the Expire Users plugin if possible. Monitor for updates from the plugin vendor or WordPress plugin repository and apply patches promptly once available.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Wordfence
- Date Reserved
- 2026-03-16T11:35:10.072Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 69be1813f4197a8e3b784ec6
Added to database: 3/21/2026, 4:01:23 AM
Last enriched: 4/9/2026, 11:37:31 AM
Last updated: 5/4/2026, 4:10:07 AM
Views: 130
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