Is this vulnerability remotely exploitable?

Yes, but it requires valid credentials. Any authenticated low-privilege user with network access to the Plainpad API can potentially exploit it by calling the affected user update endpoint.

What level of access is required to exploit this issue?

The attacker needs a standard Plainpad user account and the ability to send authenticated `PUT /api.php/v1/users/{id}` requests for their own user ID. No prior administrative privileges are required.

What is the safest general fix pattern for this kind of problem?

The safest pattern is to remove client control over privilege-related fields entirely. Role or admin flags should only be modified by dedicated server-side logic that: - Enforces strict authorization checks - Restricts who can change which attributes and under which conditions - Avoids mass-assignment of sensitive properties from request payloads

Severity:

HIGH RISK

(8.3)

Improper Privilege Management (CWE-269) in Plainpad User Role Update API

CVE-2026-42562

Published:

May 9, 2026

Status:

Received

Summary

Affected Context

Exploit Preconditions

Why This Happens

Potential Impact

General Mitigation Guidance

How Teams Detect Issues Like This

Frequently Asked Questions

Source

NDV

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Vulnerability Type

Category:

Improper Privilege Management

CWE:

CWE-269

Impact:

Privilege Escalation to Administrator

Severity:

HIGH RISK

(8.3)

CVSS Version:

3.1

Vulnerability Type

Category:

Improper Privilege Management

CWE:

CWE-269

Impact:

Privilege Escalation to Administrator

Severity:

HIGH RISK

(8.3)

CVSS Version:

3.1

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Improper Privilege Management (CWE-269) in Plainpad User Role Update API

Summary

Affected Context

Exploit Preconditions

Why This Happens

Potential Impact

General Mitigation Guidance

How Teams Detect Issues Like This

Frequently Asked Questions

Source

Recent Vulnerabilities

HIGH RISK

HIGH

(8.8)

PHP Code Injection via File Upload (CWE-94) in Aero CMS Admin Post Creation

HIGH RISK

HIGH

(8.8)

Code Injection (CWE-94) via Module Parameters in Evolution CMS

Vulnerability Type

Vulnerability Type

Vulnerability Type

Catch This CVE While Code Is Being Written

Ship clean & secure code faster

Ship clean & secure code faster

Ship clean & secure code faster

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