What the vulnerability does
01Description
The Exertio Framework plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to privilege escalation via account takeover in all versions up to, and including, 1.3.1. This is due to the plugin not properly validating a user's identity prior to updating their password through the fl_forgot_pass_new() function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to change arbitrary user's passwords, including administrators, and leverage that to gain access to their account.
Explanation of Vulnerability in Simple Terms
02Summary
Exertio Framework versions up to 1.3.1 contain a vulnerability that allows an attacker to read sensitive data, modify site content, or disrupt service availability. The vulnerability requires network access and high attack complexity but no authentication. The exact mechanism is unclear due to incomplete CWE classification, but the high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability suggests a serious flaw in core framework logic.
What an attacker can do
03Attacker Capabilities
Read sensitive data, modify site content, or cause the site to become unavailable.
Potential impact on your site
04Site Impact
Potential data breach, unauthorized content changes, or service disruption affecting all site users.
Conditions required to exploit
05Prerequisites
Network access to the site; no authentication required, but exploitation requires specific conditions.
Key dates
06Disclosure timeline
March 1, 2025
CVE published
April 8, 2026
Record updated
