CVE-2026-110018

HIGH CVSS 8.8 PoC Available
Published: 2026-10-24
Modified: 2026-10-24
Enriched via mock
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AI Threat Summary

CVE-2026-110018 is a high-severity vulnerability with a CVSS score of 8.8 affecting the target software. Threat hunters should monitor for exploit attempts and apply vendor patches immediately.

Description

The aBlocks – Gutenberg Blocks, User Dashboard Builder, Popup Builder, Form Builder & Animation Builder plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in all versions up to, and including, 2.17.0 via the `/ablocks/v1/form-builder/registration` REST endpoint. The vulnerability exists because the endpoint is registered with `permission_callback => __return_true` and the `register()` handler reads `roleSlug` directly from attacker-controlled block attributes in `post_content` without ever verifying that the block's `formType` is `registration` — a condition that `RegistrationFormSanitizer::verify()` imposes only at save-time, meaning a Contributor can preserve an arbitrary `roleSlug` by saving a block with `formType='login'` and then triggering the endpoint via a valid `wp_rest` nonce and post-ownership check. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to escalate their WordPress role to Editor or any other non-administrator role and receive a fully authenticated session at the elevated privilege level via `WP_User::set_role()` and `wp_set_auth_cookie()`. Escalation is bounded below administrator-tier roles because `is_safe_registration_role()` rejects any role holding `manage_options`, `edit_users`, `delete_users`, `create_users`, `promote_users`, or `edit_theme_options`, meaning the highest practically reachable role on a standard WordPress installation is Editor.

Attack Chain
1
Initial Access

Attacker has low-privilege local access (e.g., via phishing or compromised service account)

2
Privilege Escalation

Attacker exploits CVE-2026-110018 to escalate from low-privilege user to root/SYSTEM/admin

3
Defense Evasion

Elevated privileges used to disable security controls, clear logs, and establish persistence

4
Impact

Full system compromise achieved; attacker can install ransomware, exfiltrate all data, or pivot

MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation
Privilege Escalation

Local attacker exploits vulnerability to gain root/SYSTEM privileges

T1134 Access Token Manipulation
Privilege Escalation

Elevated token used to impersonate high-privilege accounts

Indicators of Compromise
Type Value Description
user_agent Mozilla/5.0 (compatible; exploit/1.0) Generic exploit scanner user agent pattern
url /api/vuln-endpoint?payload=<malicious> Exploit attempt against application endpoint — monitor access logs for anomalous params
Remediation
1. Apply vendor-supplied security patches immediately. 2. If patches are unavailable, apply recommended mitigations from the vendor advisory. 3. Enable WAF rules or IDS signatures to detect exploitation attempts. 4. Monitor logs for indicators of compromise listed above. 5. Implement network segmentation to limit blast radius if exploitation occurs. 6. Subscribe to vendor security advisories for this product.
Quick Facts
CVE ID CVE-2026-110018
CVSS Score 8.8
Vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Published 2026-10-24
Exploited No
CISA KEV No
PoC Available
References
External Resources
NVD Entry BleepingComputer The Hacker News