Vulnerability Description
The Welcome Software Publishing plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary Options Update in all versions up to and including 0.0.31. This is due to a missing capability check in the nc_setOption() function, which is exposed via the nc.setOption XML-RPC method. The function authenticates the user via $wp_xmlrpc_server->login() (verifying credentials are valid) but does not perform any authorization check such as current_user_can('manage_options'). This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to update arbitrary WordPress options via XML-RPC requests. This can be leveraged to change the default_role option to 'administrator' and then register a new administrator account, achieving full privilege escalation and site takeover.
CVSS Score
HIGH
Related Weaknesses (CWE)
References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/newscred-publishing/tags/0.0.31/newsc
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/newscred-publishing/tags/0.0.31/newsc
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/newscred-publishing/tags/0.0.31/newsc
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/newscred-publishing/tags/0.0.31/newsc
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/newscred-publishing/trunk/newscred.ph
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/newscred-publishing/trunk/newscred.ph
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/newscred-publishing/trunk/newscred.ph
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/newscred-publishing/trunk/newscred.ph
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/47e53fd3-4e3f-433a-8e7
FAQ
What is CVE-2026-4297?
CVE-2026-4297 is a vulnerability with a CVSS score of 8.8 (HIGH). The Welcome Software Publishing plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary Options Update in all versions up to and including 0.0.31. This is due to a missing capability check in the nc_setOption...
How severe is CVE-2026-4297?
CVE-2026-4297 has been rated HIGH with a CVSS base score of 8.8/10. Review the CVSS metrics above for detailed severity breakdown.
Is there a patch for CVE-2026-4297?
Check the references section above for vendor advisories and patch information. Review vendor security bulletins for remediation guidance.