CVE-2021-24717Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Subscriber-to-Administrator escalation via unchecked AJAX actions

Published Nov 1, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Incorrect authorization in AutomatorWP before 1.7.6 allows remote authenticated users to gain Administrator access through AJAX actions. Multiple AJAX handlers accept a Subscriber-accessible nonce without checking capabilities; automatorwp_update_item_option rewrites an anonymous automation's user-creation role. Subscriber access is required, and exploitation can also reveal private post titles or user emails and invoke argument-free PHP functions.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.34%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Incorrect authorization in AutomatorWP before 1.7.6 allows remote authenticated users to gain Administrator access through AJAX actions. Multiple AJAX handlers accept a Subscriber-accessible nonce without checking capabilities; automatorwp_update_item_option rewrites an anonymous automation's user-creation role. Subscriber access is required, and exploitation can also reveal private post titles or user emails and invoke argument-free PHP functions.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-24717
Published
Nov 1, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
SWEET CODE CHEF SL
Product
AutomatorWP
Classifications
CWE-863, T1068
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 1, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=1.7.6 <1.7.6

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

SWEET CODE CHEF SL · AutomatorWPversion=1.7.6 <1.7.6

Published CVSS scores

6.5NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P
8.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
5.4WPScanCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-863Incorrect Authorization
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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