CVE-2026-18432 Frontend Admin by DynamiApps <= 3.29.9 - Unauthenticated Privilege Escalation via 'item_id' Parameter
Unauthenticated attackers can escalate privileges to administrator by bypassing authorization checks via a crafted parameter in the Frontend Admin plugin.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-18432?
CVE-2026-18432 is a critical vulnerability in shabti Frontend Admin by DynamiApps, published on 16 Aug 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
The Frontend Admin by DynamiApps plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in all versions up to, and including, 3.29.9. The vulnerability exists because `ActionUser::conditions_logic()` gates the `current_user_can('edit_user', $user_id)` authorization check behind an `is_numeric()` test, causing the check to be skipped entirely when `$user_id` is a non-numeric string — a condition that can be induced by passing a crafted value such as `1one` through the unvalidated `item_id` parameter of the unauthenticated `wp_ajax_nopriv_frontend_admin/forms/change_form` AJAX endpoint. This makes it possible for attackers to escalate privileges to administrator by obtaining a server-signed `_acf_objects` payload carrying the non-numeric user ID, which WordPress subsequently coerces to integer 1 (the default administrator), allowing the attacker to overwrite that account's password or email address. Exploitation by unauthenticated users requires a public-facing frontend user form to be configured; in all other cases a subscriber-level account is sufficient.
Weakness: CWE-269
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-18432?
How do I fix CVE-2026-18432?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-18432 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2026-18432 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-18432 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-ch22-9ppp-5952.