CVE-2026-0635: WordPress Accordion Slider Auth Bypass Flaw

CVE-2026-0635 Overview

The Responsive Accordion Slider plugin for WordPress contains a Missing Authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) in the resp_accordion_silder_save_images function. This security flaw exists in all versions up to and including 1.2.2, allowing authenticated attackers with Contributor-level access or above to modify slider image metadata without proper authorization checks.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers can manipulate any slider's image metadata including titles, descriptions, alt text, and links, potentially enabling phishing attacks, SEO manipulation, or defacement of website content.

Affected Products

• Responsive Accordion Slider plugin for WordPress versions up to and including 1.2.2

Discovery Timeline

• January 14, 2026 - CVE-2026-0635 published to NVD
• January 14, 2026 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-0635

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from a missing capability check in the resp_accordion_silder_save_images function within the plugin's administrative class. The function processes requests to update slider image metadata but fails to verify whether the requesting user has the appropriate permissions to perform such modifications. As a result, any authenticated user with at least Contributor-level access can invoke this function and modify image metadata for any slider on the WordPress installation.

The impact allows attackers to alter critical image attributes including titles, descriptions, alt text, and associated links. While the integrity impact is limited to these specific metadata fields, malicious actors could leverage this to inject misleading content, redirect users to malicious URLs through modified links, or manipulate SEO attributes.

Root Cause

The root cause is a Missing Authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) where the resp_accordion_silder_save_images function in class-ras-admin.php lacks proper capability checks before processing image metadata modifications. WordPress plugins should verify user capabilities using functions like current_user_can() before executing privileged operations, but this check is absent in the vulnerable code path.

Attack Vector

The attack can be executed remotely over the network by any authenticated user with Contributor-level access or higher. The attacker needs to:

1. Authenticate to the WordPress installation with at least Contributor privileges
2. Send a crafted request to the vulnerable resp_accordion_silder_save_images function
3. Include modified image metadata parameters targeting any slider on the site

The vulnerability resides in the administrative class file located at includes/admin/class-ras-admin.php at line 101. Technical details can be found in the WordPress Plugin Code Review and the Wordfence Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-0635

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected modifications to slider image metadata (titles, descriptions, alt text, links)
• Suspicious activity from Contributor or Author-level accounts accessing slider administration functions
• Database entries in slider-related tables showing unauthorized changes
• Links within slider images pointing to unexpected or malicious external URLs

Detection Strategies

• Monitor WordPress audit logs for calls to resp_accordion_silder_save_images function from non-administrative users
• Review user activity logs for Contributor-level accounts performing slider modifications
• Implement file integrity monitoring on the Responsive Accordion Slider plugin directory
• Set up alerts for changes to slider configuration in the WordPress database

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive WordPress activity logging with plugins like WP Activity Log
• Configure alerts for metadata changes on slider content from non-admin users
• Regularly audit slider image links and descriptions for unauthorized modifications
• Deploy SentinelOne's Singularity platform to detect anomalous web application behavior and unauthorized data modifications

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-0635

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Responsive Accordion Slider plugin to a patched version when available
• Audit existing slider content for any unauthorized modifications to image metadata
• Review and restrict Contributor-level accounts that do not require slider modification access
• Consider temporarily deactivating the plugin until a security patch is released
• Implement additional access controls at the web server level to restrict admin-ajax.php requests

Patch Information

Monitor the WordPress plugin repository for an updated version of Responsive Accordion Slider that addresses this authorization bypass. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.2.2. Check the Wordfence Vulnerability Report for the latest patch status and remediation guidance.

Workarounds

• Restrict Contributor and Author role assignments to trusted users only until patched
• Implement server-level access controls to limit requests to sensitive plugin functions
• Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter malicious requests targeting slider functions
• Consider using a custom code snippet to add capability checks to the vulnerable function

# WordPress CLI command to list users with Contributor role for audit
wp user list --role=contributor --format=table

# Check currently installed plugin version
wp plugin get responsive-accordion-slider --field=version

# Disable the plugin temporarily if not critical to operations
wp plugin deactivate responsive-accordion-slider