CVE-2026-25028: ElementInvader Addons Auth Bypass Flaw

CVE-2026-25028 Overview

CVE-2026-25028 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) affecting the ElementInvader Addons for Elementor WordPress plugin. This broken access control flaw allows attackers with low privileges to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels, potentially gaining unauthorized access to plugin functionality that should be restricted.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers can bypass authorization checks to access restricted functionality, potentially leading to unauthorized data access and modification within WordPress sites using this plugin.

Affected Products

• ElementInvader Addons for Elementor versions up to and including 1.4.1
• WordPress installations with the affected plugin versions
• Elementor page builder environments utilizing ElementInvader Addons

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-03 - CVE-2026-25028 published to NVD
• 2026-02-05 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-25028

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from a Missing Authorization weakness (CWE-862) in the ElementInvader Addons for Elementor plugin. The plugin fails to properly verify user permissions before allowing access to certain functionality, creating a broken access control condition. Attackers with authenticated access to the WordPress site can leverage this flaw to perform actions beyond their intended privilege level.

The network-accessible attack vector means the vulnerability can be exploited remotely by any authenticated user, regardless of their assigned role. The lack of proper capability checks allows lower-privileged users to access administrative or restricted features within the plugin.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient authorization validation within the plugin's access control mechanisms. When handling requests to certain plugin endpoints or functions, the code fails to verify whether the authenticated user has the appropriate WordPress capabilities to perform the requested action. This missing permission check creates an exploitable gap in the security model.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and requires the attacker to have a low-privileged authenticated session on the target WordPress site. Once authenticated, the attacker can directly access restricted plugin functionality without the expected authorization barriers. The vulnerability requires no user interaction beyond the initial authentication.

The exploitation mechanism involves making direct requests to vulnerable plugin endpoints while authenticated as a low-privileged user (such as a Subscriber or Contributor role). Without proper capability checks, the plugin processes these requests as if they came from an authorized administrator.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-25028

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual activity from low-privileged WordPress user accounts accessing plugin settings or administrative functions
• WordPress audit logs showing Subscriber or Contributor users performing actions typically restricted to Editors or Administrators
• Unexpected modifications to Elementor page content or plugin configurations

Detection Strategies

• Review WordPress access logs for requests to ElementInvader Addons endpoints from non-administrative user sessions
• Monitor for privilege escalation patterns where lower-tier users access restricted plugin functionality
• Implement WordPress security plugins that track and alert on capability violations

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive WordPress activity logging to capture all user actions
• Set up alerts for unusual patterns of plugin configuration changes
• Regularly audit user permissions and compare against expected access levels
• Monitor for new or modified content created through ElementInvader Addons by unauthorized users

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-25028

Immediate Actions Required

• Update ElementInvader Addons for Elementor to a version newer than 1.4.1 when a patched version becomes available
• Audit existing WordPress user accounts and remove unnecessary privileges
• Consider temporarily deactivating the plugin until a security patch is released
• Review site activity logs for signs of exploitation

Patch Information

A security advisory has been published by Patchstack documenting this vulnerability. Site administrators should monitor the Patchstack Security Advisory and the official WordPress plugin repository for updates that address this broken access control issue.

Workarounds

• Restrict user registration on WordPress sites using the vulnerable plugin
• Remove unnecessary user accounts, particularly those with Subscriber or Contributor roles
• Implement additional access control layers using WordPress security plugins
• Consider using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to restrict access to plugin endpoints

# Configuration example
# WordPress wp-config.php hardening - disable user registration
define('USERS_CAN_REGISTER', false);

# Review active user roles via WP-CLI
wp user list --fields=ID,user_login,user_email,roles

# Deactivate vulnerable plugin temporarily via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate elementinvader-addons-for-elementor