Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Lifecycle Timeline
5DescriptionCVE.org
The Highland Software Custom Role Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in versions up to and including 1.0.0. This is due to insufficient authorization checks in the hscrm_save_user_roles() function, which is hooked to the personal_options_update action accessible by any authenticated user. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access or higher, to potentially modify user roles via the profile update form.
AnalysisAI
Authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level privileges can escalate to Administrator role in Highland Software Custom Role Manager for WordPress via profile update exploitation. The hscrm_save_user_roles() function lacks capability checks on the personal_options_update hook, allowing low-privilege users to modify arbitrary user roles including their own. Version 1.0.1 released with authorization fixes. CVSS 8.8 reflects high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability. EPSS data not provided, no CISA KEV listing identified, indicating limited widespread exploitation despite the severity of self-service privilege escalation to site administrator.
Technical ContextAI
WordPress action hooks like personal_options_update trigger when any authenticated user updates their profile. The vulnerability stems from CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management) where the plugin's hscrm_save_user_roles() function processes role modification requests without verifying the current_user_can('edit_users') or similar capability checks. In WordPress's privilege model, Subscribers (the lowest authenticated role) can access profile updates but should never modify user roles-a permission reserved for Administrators. The affected CPE (cpe:2.3:a:jgrodgers:highland_software_custom_role_manager) identifies this as a third-party WordPress plugin by developer jgrodgers. Source code references point to user-ui.php lines 203, 223, and 289 in version 1.0.0 where the vulnerable function hooks into WordPress core actions without proper authorization gates.
RemediationAI
Upgrade immediately to Highland Software Custom Role Manager version 1.0.1, which implements authorization checks in user-ui.php line 203 and related functions per the plugin repository diff at https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/highland-software-custom-role-manager/tags/1.0.1/includes/user-ui.php#L203. If immediate upgrade is not possible, disable the Highland Software Custom Role Manager plugin entirely until patching-this removes all role management functionality but eliminates the privilege escalation vector. For sites requiring role management during the interim, switch to established alternatives like User Role Editor or Members plugins that have mature security track records. Audit all user accounts for unexpected role changes by reviewing WordPress user lists for Subscribers or Contributors who gained Administrator privileges since plugin installation. Check wp_usermeta table for role modifications if forensic investigation is needed. Do not attempt to patch the vulnerability manually by editing plugin files, as this creates maintenance debt and may be overwritten by auto-updates.
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Same weakness CWE-269 – Improper Privilege Management
View allSame technique Privilege Escalation
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External POC / Exploit Code
Leaving vuln.today
EUVD-2026-25769