CVE-2026-77786: CWE-863 Incorrect Authorization in Rank Math SEO
Description
CVE-2026-77786 is an authorization vulnerability in the Rank Math SEO WordPress plugin versions including 1.0.271. The plugin fails to verify that users requesting automated SEO fixes have the necessary WordPress capabilities for the settings being changed. This allows users with the Editor role to modify site-wide core WordPress settings that should be restricted to administrators.
CVSS v3.1
Score 4.9medium
Affected software
Rank Math SEO
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The Rank Math SEO WordPress plugin before version 1.0.277 does not properly check user capabilities when performing automated SEO fixes. Specifically, it allows users with the Editor role—who normally lack administrative privileges—to modify critical site-wide WordPress settings. This is due to an incorrect authorization implementation (CWE-863), which bypasses WordPress's standard capability checks for these sensitive operations.
Potential Impact
Users with the Editor role can escalate their privileges to modify core WordPress settings that are intended to be restricted to administrators. This could lead to unauthorized changes affecting site configuration and potentially impacting site security or functionality. There is no indication of confidentiality or availability impact, and no known exploits in the wild have been reported.
Mitigation Recommendations
No official patch or remediation has been confirmed yet. Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, restrict Editor role capabilities or limit plugin usage to trusted users only.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- WPScan
- Date Reserved
- 2026-08-21T12:06:31.023Z
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6a927ab6acd9273b496bdeca
Added to database: 08/29/2026, 06:22:46 UTC
Last enriched: 09/09/2026, 21:53:36 UTC
Last updated: 10/13/2026, 18:48:23 UTC
Views: 99
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