Cyber Posture

CVE-2026-23550

Critical

Published: 14 January 2026

Published
14 January 2026
Modified
23 April 2026
KEV Added
—
Patch
—
CVSS Score 9.8 CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS Score 0.0485 89.6th percentile
Risk Priority 23 60% EPSS · 20% KEV · 20% CVSS

Description

Incorrect Privilege Assignment vulnerability in Modular DS Modular DS modular-connector allows Privilege Escalation.This issue affects Modular DS: from n/a through <= 2.5.1.

Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5)AI

SI-2 Flaw Remediation good match
prevent

Remediating the specific flaw in the Modular DS modular-connector plugin by patching to a version beyond 2.5.1 directly eliminates the incorrect privilege assignment enabling unauthenticated escalation.

AC-6 Least Privilege good match
prevent

Enforcing least privilege ensures that even with plugin mishandling, escalated privileges remain minimal and contained, directly countering the privilege escalation vulnerability.

AC-3 Access Enforcement partial match
prevent

Access enforcement mechanisms restrict logical access in accordance with policy, mitigating unauthorized privilege escalations attempted via the plugin's connector component.

Security SummaryAI

CVE-2026-23550 is an Incorrect Privilege Assignment vulnerability (CWE-266) in the Modular DS modular-connector WordPress plugin, which enables privilege escalation. The issue affects all versions of the Modular DS Monitor, Update, and Backup Multiple Websites plugin up to and including 2.5.1. With a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (Critical), it stems from improper handling of privileges within the plugin's connector component.

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely over the network with low complexity and no user interaction required (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U). Successful exploitation allows privilege escalation, granting high-impact access to confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H), potentially leading to full site compromise such as arbitrary code execution or data exfiltration on affected WordPress installations.

Patchstack has published an advisory detailing the vulnerability in the Modular DS plugin version 2.5.1, available at https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Plugin/modular-connector/vulnerability/wordpress-modular-ds-monitor-update-and-backup-multiple-websites-plugin-2-5-1-privilege-escalation-vulnerability?_s_id=cve. Security practitioners should update to a patched version beyond 2.5.1 if available and review access controls on WordPress sites using this plugin.

Details

CWE(s)
CWE-266

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI

T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Initial Access
Adversaries may attempt to exploit a weakness in an Internet-facing host or system to initially access a network.
attack.mitre.org →
T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation Privilege Escalation
Adversaries may exploit software vulnerabilities in an attempt to elevate privileges.
attack.mitre.org →
Why these techniques?

The vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote exploitation of a public-facing WordPress plugin (T1190) to achieve privilege escalation (T1068).

Confidence: HIGH · MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise v19.0

References