What the vulnerability does
01Description
The Read More & Accordion plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in all versions up to, and including, 3.5.7. This is due to the 'RadMoreAjax::importData' function not restricting which database tables can be written to during import and not properly validating the imported data. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with permission granted by the site owner through the plugin's role settings, to insert arbitrary rows into the 'wp_users' and 'wp_usermeta' tables, including the 'wp_capabilities' field, allowing them to create a new administrator account and gain administrator access to the site.
Explanation of Vulnerability in Simple Terms
02Summary
The Read More & Accordion plugin through version 3.5.7 contains a privilege management flaw that allows authenticated users with low-level permissions to perform actions reserved for higher-privilege roles. An attacker with a basic user account can read sensitive data, modify site content, or disrupt service without requiring additional user interaction. Site administrators should update immediately to a version newer than 3.5.7.
What an attacker can do
03Attacker Capabilities
Read sensitive data, modify content, or disrupt the site using a low-privilege user account.
Potential impact on your site
04Site Impact
Any registered user can escalate their capabilities to perform admin-level actions on your site.
Conditions required to exploit
05Prerequisites
Attacker must have a valid low-privilege user account on the site; no user interaction required.
Key dates
06Disclosure timeline
May 20, 2026
CVE published
May 20, 2026
Record updated
