CVE-2026-6228: WordPress Frontend Admin Plugin Privilege Escalation
The National Vulnerability Database has detailed CVE-2026-6228, a high-severity privilege escalation vulnerability impacting the Frontend Admin by DynamiApps plugin for WordPress, specifically versions up to and including 3.28.36. This flaw stems from insufficient authorization checks within the plugin’s role field update mechanism, coupled with overly permissive capabilities assigned to the admin_form post type.
According to the National Vulnerability Database, the admin_form custom post type, configured with capability_type => page, allows WordPress editors to create and modify forms. An editor can craft an edit_user form and manipulate its configuration to include ‘administrator’ within the role_options array. This is achieved by directly submitting POST data to wp-admin/post.php, bypassing the UI’s restrictions. When this modified form is later submitted, the pre_update_value() function in class-role.php only validates if the submitted role exists in the form’s role_options array, but critically fails to verify if the current user has the necessary permissions to assign that specific role.
This vulnerability, rated with a CVSS score of 8.8 (High), creates a clear attack path. Unauthenticated attackers can first register as editors through a public new user form, then exploit this flaw to create an edit_user form that includes the ‘administrator’ role, and subsequently use it to escalate their own privileges to full administrator access on the WordPress site.
What This Means For You
- If your organization uses the Frontend Admin by DynamiApps plugin for WordPress, you are exposed. This isn't just a theoretical vulnerability; it's a direct path to full site compromise. Attackers don't need existing high-level access; they can register as a low-privilege editor and then promote themselves to administrator. Patch or disable this plugin immediately. Audit your WordPress user logs for any suspicious privilege changes, especially for newly registered users.
Related ATT&CK Techniques
🛡️ Detection Rules
3 rules · 6 SIEM formats3 detection rules auto-generated for this incident, mapped to MITRE ATT&CK. Sigma YAML is free — export to any SIEM format via the Intel Bot.
CVE-2026-6228: WordPress Frontend Admin Plugin Privilege Escalation via Role Manipulation
title: CVE-2026-6228: WordPress Frontend Admin Plugin Privilege Escalation via Role Manipulation
id: scw-2026-05-15-ai-1
status: experimental
level: critical
description: |
Detects the specific POST request to wp-admin/post.php used in CVE-2026-6228 to exploit the Frontend Admin plugin. The rule looks for the 'feadmin_form_id', 'feadmin_form_action=edit_user', and 'role_options%5Ball%5D=administrator' parameters in the URI query, which are indicative of an attempt to manipulate user roles and escalate privileges by exploiting insufficient authorization checks.
author: SCW Feed Engine (AI-generated)
date: 2026-05-15
references:
- https://shimiscyberworld.com/posts/nvd-CVE-2026-6228/
tags:
- attack.initial_access
- attack.t1190
logsource:
category: webserver
detection:
selection:
cs-uri|endswith:
- '/wp-admin/post.php'
cs-method:
- 'POST'
selection_vars:
cs-uri-query|contains:
- 'feadmin_form_id'
cs-uri-query|contains:
- 'feadmin_form_action=edit_user'
cs-uri-query|contains:
- 'role_options%5Ball%5D=administrator'
condition: selection AND selection_vars
falsepositives:
- Legitimate administrative activity
Source: Shimi's Cyber World · License & reuse
Indicators of Compromise
| ID | Type | Indicator |
|---|---|---|
| CVE-2026-6228 | Privilege Escalation | Frontend Admin by DynamiApps plugin for WordPress versions up to and including 3.28.36 |
| CVE-2026-6228 | Privilege Escalation | Insufficient authorization checks in role field update mechanism |
| CVE-2026-6228 | Privilege Escalation | Vulnerable endpoint: wp-admin/post.php |
| CVE-2026-6228 | Privilege Escalation | Vulnerable function: pre_update_value() in class-role.php (lines 107-110) |
| CVE-2026-6228 | Privilege Escalation | Attack vector: Manipulating 'role_options' array in POST data to assign 'administrator' role |
Written by SCW Vulnerability Desk
Source & Attribution
| Source Platform | NVD |
| Channel | National Vulnerability Database |
| Published | May 15, 2026 at 12:16 UTC |
This content was AI-rewritten and enriched by Shimi's Cyber World based on the original source. All intellectual property rights remain with the original author.
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