CVE-2026-9050 Overview
CVE-2026-9050 is a missing authorization vulnerability in the Slider Revolution plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects versions 6.0.0 through 6.7.55 and 7.0.0 through 7.0.14. Authenticated attackers with Contributor-level access or higher can deactivate any active plugin installed on the site. The plugin fails to verify that a user is authorized to perform the action, mapping to [CWE-862] Missing Authorization.
Critical Impact
Contributor-level users can disable arbitrary active plugins, including security plugins, on affected WordPress installations.
Affected Products
- Slider Revolution plugin for WordPress versions 6.0.0 to 6.7.55
- Slider Revolution plugin for WordPress versions 7.0.0 to 7.0.14
- WordPress sites running Slider Revolution with Contributor or higher accounts
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-02 - CVE-2026-9050 published to NVD
- 2026-06-02 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-9050
Vulnerability Analysis
The Slider Revolution plugin exposes an action handler that performs plugin deactivation without validating that the requesting user holds the appropriate WordPress capability. WordPress restricts plugin management to administrators through the activate_plugins capability. The vulnerable handler skips this capability check, allowing any authenticated user with Contributor-level access or above to invoke the deactivation logic.
An attacker exploits the flaw by sending a crafted request to the plugin's action endpoint while authenticated as a low-privileged user. The endpoint accepts a plugin identifier and triggers WordPress's plugin deactivation routine. The Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) reports a probability of 0.026% for this vulnerability.
Root Cause
The root cause is a missing authorization check in the plugin's request handler. The code verifies authentication and nonce values but omits a current_user_can('activate_plugins') capability check. This omission allows the action to execute under any authenticated session that can reach the handler, including Contributor accounts.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the WordPress site and an authenticated session with at least Contributor privileges. The attacker submits a POST request to the vulnerable plugin action with the target plugin's slug. The server responds by deactivating the specified plugin, which can include security, backup, or firewall plugins. Disabling protective plugins enables follow-on attacks against the site.
No verified proof-of-concept code is published. See the Wordfence Vulnerability Report for vendor-confirmed technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-9050
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected plugin deactivation events in the WordPress active_plugins option
- POST requests from Contributor or Author accounts to admin-ajax.php or REST endpoints referencing Slider Revolution actions
- Audit log entries showing plugin state changes performed by non-administrator users
- Security plugins (Wordfence, iThemes, Sucuri) entering an inactive state without administrator action
Detection Strategies
- Monitor the WordPress option_active_plugins value for changes correlated with non-admin user sessions
- Inspect web server access logs for requests to Slider Revolution AJAX or REST actions originating from low-privileged accounts
- Alert on any plugin deactivation event where the acting user lacks the activate_plugins capability
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable a WordPress activity log plugin that records plugin state changes with user attribution
- Forward WordPress audit logs to a centralized SIEM and create rules for plugin deactivation by Contributor or Author roles
- Track Slider Revolution plugin version across managed WordPress sites and flag instances below 6.7.56 or 7.0.15
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-9050
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Slider Revolution to a version newer than 6.7.55 in the 6.x branch or newer than 7.0.14 in the 7.x branch
- Audit existing Contributor, Author, and Editor accounts and remove unused or suspicious users
- Review the active plugin list and re-enable any plugins that were deactivated without authorization
Patch Information
Apply the latest vendor release of Slider Revolution. Refer to the Slider Revolution Homepage and the Wordfence Vulnerability Report for current fixed versions and release notes.
Workarounds
- Restrict registration and limit Contributor-level account creation until the plugin is updated
- Deploy a web application firewall rule that blocks unauthenticated and low-privileged requests to Slider Revolution administrative actions
- Temporarily disable the Slider Revolution plugin on sites that cannot be patched immediately
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
