Description

Missing Authorization vulnerability in DEV Institute Restrict User Access – Membership Plugin with Force restrict-user-access allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Restrict User Access – Membership Plugin with Force: from n/a through 2.8.1.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "5.3",
  "pubDate": "2026-10-09T12:17:10.940Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-10-09T12:17:10.940Z",
  "executiveSummary": "The DEV Institute Restrict User Access – Membership Plugin with Force (restrict-user-access) is affected by a critical missing authorization vulnerability. This security issue affects all plugin versions starting from n/a through 2.8.1. The vulnerability arises because the plugin fails to properly validate the authorization levels of users requesting access to restricted content, allowing malicious actors to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels to bypass intended restrictions.\nThe impact of this missing authorization vulnerability is significant for administrators relying on this plugin to protect premium or sensitive membership areas. An unauthenticated or low-privileged attacker can exploit this flaw to view restricted content, bypass subscription paywalls, or manipulate membership configurations. Because the plugin fails to enforce proper server-side verification, the overall security posture of the membership site is severely compromised, enabling unauthorized access with minimal exploitation requirements. This lack of secure enforcement exposes sensitive user data and proprietary resources, undermining the core utility of the membership system.",
  "technicalDetails": "The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the validation logic of the Restrict User Access – Membership Plugin with Force (specifically the restrict-user-access component) developed by DEV Institute. In affected versions from n/a through 2.8.1, the plugin's authorization framework fails to securely restrict endpoints. The core issue centers on a missing authorization check within the enforcement handlers. When the 'Force restrict-user-access' mechanism is triggered, the code fails to adequately verify the active user's actual capabilities against the required security levels defined in the membership configuration.\nAn attacker can exploit this vulnerability by directly targeting restricted endpoints or forcing the execution of actions governed by the plugin's access control levels. Because the application fails to perform rigorous server-side authorization checks, it trusts the state of the incoming request without validating whether the initiating identity has the proper authorization clearance. Unauthenticated or low-privileged users can formulate specific HTTP requests designed to bypass the lax boundary checks, thereby tricking the system into rendering restricted membership areas or executing actions meant only for higher security tiers.\nThe step-by-step attack flow begins with the adversary mapping the site's restricted routes, premium content, or membership actions. Next, the attacker sends a direct request to these restricted resources. The 'Force restrict-user-access' function intercepts the request but fails to execute a strict, authoritative validation of the user's role or permissions. Since the check is missing or incorrectly configured, the plugin permits the request to proceed. Finally, the server executes the action or returns the protected content, allowing the attacker to bypass the access control system completely.\nThe vulnerability specifically leverages the 'Force restrict-user-access' option, which is intended to enforce global or section-specific boundaries. However, due to the missing authorization validation, this 'Force' option fails to act as a secure gatekeeper, allowing requests that should be dropped to pass through. By exploiting these incorrectly configured access control security levels, attackers can manipulate the logical flow of the plugin. This lack of robust state verification means that any incoming request, even those omitting session-specific authorization headers or cookies, can bypass the security checks as long as the request format matches what the plugin expects.\nThis security flaw directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the restricted system. Unprivileged users can access proprietary resources, intellectual property, and premium user areas without valid subscriptions. In worst-case scenarios, the lack of proper authorization controls might allow malicious actors to modify access control configurations, potentially lock out legitimate users, or escalate their privileges within the target WordPress environment."
}