CVE-2026-57622: WPCafe Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2026-57622 Overview

CVE-2026-57622 is a broken access control vulnerability affecting the WPCafe WordPress plugin in versions up to and including 3.0.14. The flaw stems from a missing authorization check [CWE-862] that allows authenticated users with the Subscriber role to access functionality reserved for higher-privileged accounts. An attacker only needs a low-privilege account on the target WordPress site to exploit the issue over the network. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality by exposing restricted data, but does not modify integrity or availability according to the published CVSS vector.

Critical Impact
Authenticated Subscriber-level users on affected WordPress sites can bypass access controls in WPCafe to reach restricted plugin functionality and information.

Affected Products

WPCafe WordPress plugin versions <= 3.0.14
WordPress sites that permit Subscriber-level registration
WordPress sites exposing WPCafe endpoints to authenticated users

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-26 - CVE CVE-2026-57622 published to NVD
2026-06-26 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-57622

Vulnerability Analysis

WPCafe is a restaurant and food-ordering plugin for WordPress. The vulnerability is a Broken Access Control weakness classified under [CWE-862] Missing Authorization. Plugin actions that should require elevated privileges accept requests from any authenticated user, including the low-privilege Subscriber role.

The exploit path requires authentication but no user interaction. An attacker who registers on a WordPress site running WPCafe <= 3.0.14, or who compromises an existing Subscriber account, can call restricted plugin actions directly. The impact is limited to information disclosure, without direct effects on integrity or availability.

Many WordPress sites allow open Subscriber registration for comments, newsletters, or ordering flows. This deployment pattern turns Subscriber accounts into a realistic attack surface for CVE-2026-57622.

Root Cause

The root cause is a missing capability check on one or more WPCafe request handlers. WordPress plugins are expected to gate privileged actions through current_user_can() capability checks or AJAX nonce verification tied to a specific role. WPCafe <= 3.0.14 fails to enforce this check, so the server processes requests based on authentication alone rather than authorization.

Attack Vector

Exploitation occurs over the network against the plugin's authenticated endpoints. The attacker logs in with any WordPress account, then sends a crafted HTTP request to a WPCafe action that should be reserved for administrators or shop managers. The server processes the request and returns data the Subscriber should not be able to read.

No verified public proof-of-concept is available. Refer to the Patchstack WP Cafe Vulnerability advisory for vendor-tracked technical detail.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-57622

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected authenticated HTTP requests from Subscriber accounts to admin-ajax.php or REST endpoints registered by the WPCafe plugin.
New Subscriber account registrations followed shortly by access to WPCafe administrative actions.
Access log entries showing Subscriber-authenticated sessions retrieving data normally limited to shop managers or administrators.

Detection Strategies

Review WordPress access logs for requests to WPCafe action names or REST routes originating from users whose role is subscriber.
Compare the role of the requesting user against the sensitivity of the endpoint being invoked, flagging mismatches.
Enable WordPress audit logging plugins to record capability checks and role usage for the WPCafe plugin.

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on bursts of Subscriber account creation followed by authenticated API calls to plugin endpoints.
Monitor for outbound data volume anomalies on /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php responses tied to Subscriber sessions.
Track version metadata of the WPCafe plugin across all managed WordPress sites to identify hosts still on <= 3.0.14.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-57622

Immediate Actions Required

Update the WPCafe plugin to a version later than 3.0.14 as soon as the vendor releases a patched build.
Audit existing Subscriber accounts and remove or disable accounts that are not required for site operation.
Disable open user registration on WordPress sites that do not need it by unchecking Settings > General > Membership.

Patch Information

At publication, the Patchstack WP Cafe Vulnerability advisory is the authoritative reference for fix availability. Apply the vendor-supplied update once released and verify the installed version through the WordPress plugin manager.

Workarounds

Restrict access to WPCafe AJAX and REST endpoints at the web server or WAF layer to authenticated administrator sessions only.
Temporarily deactivate the WPCafe plugin on sites where the affected functionality is not business-critical.
Apply virtual patching rules through a WordPress security plugin or upstream WAF to block Subscriber requests to WPCafe management actions.

bash

# Configuration example: block Subscriber access to WPCafe admin-ajax actions at the WAF layer
# Pseudo-rule for a reverse proxy or WAF
if ($request_uri ~* "/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php") {
    if ($arg_action ~* "^wpcafe_") {
        # Require an administrator session cookie; otherwise return 403
        if ($cookie_wordpress_logged_in_admin = "") {
            return 403;
        }
    }
}