WordPress Build App Online plugin <= 1.0.19 - Authenticated Privilege Escalation vulnerability

Vulnerability

The WordPress plugin 'Build App Online' (slug: build-app-online) versions from n/a through 1.0.19 contain an Improper Privilege Management vulnerability. This issue resides in the privilege handling logic, allowing unauthorized elevation of user roles. The plugin has been closed/removed from the WordPress.org plugin directory as of March 10, 2026 due to a security issue [1].

Exploitation

An attacker does not require any prior authentication to exploit this vulnerability. By sending specially crafted requests to the vulnerable endpoints, the attacker can manipulate privilege checks to gain elevated permissions within the WordPress site. No user interaction is needed. The exact sequence of steps has not been publicly disclosed in the available references [1].

Impact

Successful exploitation allows an attacker to escalate their privileges, potentially gaining administrative access to the WordPress site. This can lead to full compromise of the website, including data breaches, website defacement, or further malware injection. The vulnerability directly undermines the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected site [1].

Mitigation

No patched version exists as the plugin has been closed and removed from the WordPress.org directory [1]. The only mitigation is to immediately uninstall the plugin from any WordPress site where it is currently active. Users should also audit their sites for signs of compromise and consider alternative solutions for building apps online.