CVE-2026-25020: WP Sync for Notion Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2026-25020 Overview

CVE-2026-25020 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) affecting the WP Sync for Notion WordPress plugin developed by WP connect. This Broken Access Control vulnerability allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels, potentially enabling unauthorized actions within WordPress sites using the affected plugin.

The vulnerability stems from missing authorization checks in the plugin's functionality, allowing authenticated users with low privileges to perform actions that should be restricted to higher-privileged users or administrators.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers with minimal privileges can bypass access control mechanisms in WP Sync for Notion, potentially modifying plugin settings or synced content without proper authorization.

Affected Products

• WP Sync for Notion WordPress plugin version 1.7.0 and earlier
• All WordPress installations with WP Sync for Notion (wp-sync-for-notion) plugin versions through 1.7.0

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-03 - CVE-2026-25020 published to NVD
• 2026-02-03 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-25020

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability represents a classic Broken Access Control flaw where the plugin fails to implement proper authorization checks before performing sensitive operations. The vulnerability is network-exploitable and requires only low-level authentication (such as a subscriber account), making it accessible to any authenticated user on a WordPress installation.

The impact is primarily on integrity, allowing unauthorized modification of data or settings. While the vulnerability does not directly expose confidential information or cause service disruption, the ability to modify synchronized content between WordPress and Notion could have significant operational consequences.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2026-25020 is the absence of capability checks or nonce verification in one or more plugin functions. WordPress plugins should implement current_user_can() checks to verify that the current user has appropriate permissions before executing privileged operations. The WP Sync for Notion plugin fails to perform these authorization checks, allowing any authenticated user to access functionality intended for administrators.

This is classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization), which occurs when software does not perform authorization checks when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based and requires the attacker to have a low-privileged authenticated session on the target WordPress site. The exploitation flow typically involves:

1. An attacker registers or gains access to a low-privileged WordPress account (e.g., Subscriber role)
2. The attacker identifies vulnerable AJAX endpoints or admin actions exposed by the WP Sync for Notion plugin
3. The attacker crafts requests to these endpoints, bypassing the missing authorization checks
4. The plugin processes the requests without validating user capabilities, allowing unauthorized modifications

The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond the attacker's own authentication, and the scope remains unchanged (the attacker cannot pivot to affect other components beyond the vulnerable plugin's functionality).

For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the PatchStack Vulnerability Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-25020

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected changes to WP Sync for Notion plugin settings or configurations
• Unusual API activity between WordPress and Notion from low-privileged user sessions
• Audit log entries showing plugin actions executed by users without administrator privileges
• Modified or corrupted synchronized content between Notion and WordPress

Detection Strategies

• Monitor WordPress audit logs for WP Sync for Notion plugin actions performed by non-administrator users
• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect anomalous requests to plugin endpoints
• Review user activity logs for subscribers or contributors accessing plugin-specific AJAX handlers
• Deploy SentinelOne Singularity Platform to detect unauthorized access patterns and suspicious WordPress activity

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed WordPress activity logging with plugins that capture AJAX requests and user actions
• Configure alerts for any plugin configuration changes made by non-administrator accounts
• Monitor network traffic for unusual patterns of requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with WP Sync for Notion action parameters
• Implement real-time file integrity monitoring on plugin directories

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-25020

Immediate Actions Required

• Update WP Sync for Notion plugin to a version newer than 1.7.0 when a patched version becomes available
• Review and audit all user accounts on affected WordPress installations, removing unnecessary accounts
• Temporarily disable the WP Sync for Notion plugin if it is not business-critical
• Implement additional access control measures through a WordPress security plugin or WAF

Patch Information

Check the WordPress plugin repository and the PatchStack Vulnerability Advisory for updates on patched versions. Organizations should update to a version higher than 1.7.0 as soon as a security fix is released by the plugin developer.

Workarounds

• Restrict WordPress user registration to prevent unauthorized account creation
• Audit existing user accounts and remove or downgrade any unnecessary authenticated users
• Implement IP-based access restrictions to the WordPress admin panel
• Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter requests to vulnerable plugin endpoints

# WordPress wp-config.php hardening example
# Add these lines to restrict admin access by IP (adjust IP addresses as needed)

# In .htaccess for Apache servers:
# <Files wp-login.php>
#   Order Deny,Allow
#   Deny from all
#   Allow from YOUR.TRUSTED.IP.ADDRESS
# </Files>

# Disable user registration if not required
# Add to wp-config.php:
# define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);