CVE-2026-17553
What it is
The WP EasyCart plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to privilege escalation in versions up to, and including, 5.9.3. This is due to the ec_ajax_save_page_default_options() AJAX handler iterating over every $_POST key and passing it directly into update_option() without any allowlist, while gating the handler only on 'manage_options' OR the plugin's custom 'wpec_manager' capability. The plugin's built-in 'wpec_store_manager' role holds 'wpec_manager' but not 'manage_options', and the required nonce is emitted on frontend product/category templates that render for any user with 'wpec_manager'. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Store Manager-level access and above, to elevate their privileges to administrator by updating arbitrary WordPress options such as default_role='administrator' and users_can_register='1', then self-registering a new account that is assigned the administrator role.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network with an admin-level account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
- Exploit odds
- 0.6% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.
Timeline
- ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 0.6% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 7.2 HIGH (CVSS).
- Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.6% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-269 · Improper privilege management
- Record status
- Deferred
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.2
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- High
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-17553.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-17553. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-easycart/tags/5.9.1/admin/inc/wp_easycart_admin.php#L209
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-easycart/tags/5.9.1/design/layout/base-responsive-v3/ec_product_page.php#L415
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-easycart/tags/5.9.1/wpeasycart.php#L7103
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-easycart/tags/5.9.1/wpeasycart.php#L7107
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-easycart/tags/5.9.1/wpeasycart.php#L7110
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?reponame=&old=3681924%40wp-easycart&new=3681924%40wp-easycart
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/08e62276-f004-48ca-bb00-2f81e6ac4892?source=cve