CVE-2026-12525: Redux Framework Privilege Escalation

CVE-2026-12525 Overview

CVE-2026-12525 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in the Redux Framework WordPress plugin before version 4.5.13. The plugin fails to restrict which user meta keys can be written when saving custom profile fields. Any authenticated user holding at least the Subscriber role can submit a crafted profile update to overwrite privileged user meta values. This allows the attacker to promote their own account to Administrator on sites where the Users extension (user-profile) feature is enabled. The flaw is a broken access control issue in the profile save handler.

Critical Impact
Authenticated Subscriber-level users can escalate to Administrator on any WordPress site running Redux Framework before 4.5.13 with the Users extension enabled.

Affected Products

Redux Framework WordPress plugin versions prior to 4.5.13
WordPress installations with the Redux Framework Users extension enabled
Sites exposing the Redux Framework custom profile field save endpoint to authenticated users

Discovery Timeline

2026-07-16 - CVE-2026-12525 published to NVD
2026-07-16 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-12525

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a broken access control flaw in the Redux Framework Users extension. When the plugin processes profile updates, it iterates over submitted field data and writes each entry to the wp_usermeta table via update_user_meta(). The plugin does not enforce an allow-list of writable meta keys. An attacker can therefore include arbitrary keys such as wp_capabilities in the request body.

WordPress derives a user's role from the wp_capabilities meta value. Overwriting this key with a serialized array granting the administrator role immediately elevates the account. The attack requires only Subscriber-level authentication, which is the default role for self-registered users on many WordPress sites. See the WPScan Vulnerability Analysis for the underlying research.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing input validation on user-supplied meta keys during profile save. The Redux Framework Users extension trusts client-submitted field identifiers and passes them directly to the WordPress user meta API. There is no allow-list, no key prefix enforcement, and no capability check tied to sensitive keys such as wp_capabilities, wp_user_level, or session_tokens.

Attack Vector

The attack is remote and authenticated. An attacker registers or logs in with any account holding the Subscriber role or higher. The attacker then submits a crafted POST request to the profile update endpoint, including a controlled meta key mapped to the administrator role serialized value. After the request completes, the attacker's account carries Administrator capabilities and can install plugins, edit files, or create additional privileged users.

No verified public exploit code is available. The vulnerability is described in prose based on the vendor advisory. Refer to the WPScan Vulnerability Analysis for technical validation.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-12525

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected changes to the wp_capabilities value in the wp_usermeta table for low-privilege accounts
New Administrator-role accounts created by users who were previously Subscribers or Contributors
POST requests to profile.php or Redux Framework profile endpoints containing parameters that reference wp_capabilities or wp_user_level
Installation of unfamiliar plugins or themes shortly after suspicious profile updates

Detection Strategies

Audit the wp_usermeta table for accounts whose wp_capabilities value no longer matches their original registration role
Enable and review WordPress activity logs for role changes not initiated through the standard Users admin screen
Inspect web server access logs for profile update requests containing unexpected redux field parameters submitted by non-admin users

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on privilege changes for user accounts, especially transitions from Subscriber to Administrator
Monitor for creation of new admin accounts, plugin installations, or theme edits performed by recently promoted users
Track failed and successful authentications from new IP addresses against accounts that recently gained elevated privileges

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-12525

Immediate Actions Required

Update the Redux Framework plugin to version 4.5.13 or later on every WordPress site in the environment
Review all Administrator and Editor accounts and remove any that were not provisioned through approved processes
Reset passwords and invalidate active sessions for any account that shows evidence of role tampering
Disable the Redux Framework Users extension if the profile field feature is not required

Patch Information

The vendor addressed the issue in Redux Framework version 4.5.13. The fix restricts which user meta keys the profile save handler will write, preventing arbitrary overwrite of wp_capabilities and related privileged keys. Site operators should apply the update through the WordPress plugin dashboard or via WP-CLI.

Workarounds

Disable the Redux Framework Users extension until the patched version can be deployed
Restrict self-registration on the site, or set the default role for new registrations to a value that cannot reach the vulnerable endpoint
Place the WordPress admin and profile endpoints behind a web application firewall rule that blocks requests containing wp_capabilities in POST bodies from non-admin sessions

bash

# Update Redux Framework via WP-CLI
wp plugin update redux-framework --version=4.5.13

# Verify installed version
wp plugin get redux-framework --field=version

# Optional: disable open registration until patched
wp option update users_can_register 0