CVE-2026-24965
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the Contest Gallery WordPress plugin that allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels. It affects all versions up to and including 28.1.1, potentially allowing unauthorized access to restricted functionality.
💻 Affected Systems
- Contest Gallery WordPress Plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could access administrative functions, modify contest settings, delete entries, or manipulate gallery content without authorization.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users could view restricted contest entries, modify submission data, or access backend functionality they shouldn't have permissions for.
If Mitigated
With proper WordPress user role management and security plugins, impact would be limited to minor data exposure or configuration changes.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires some understanding of WordPress authentication but is straightforward once access patterns are identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 28.1.2 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find Contest Gallery and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify update to version 28.1.2 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Temporary Plugin Deactivation
allDisable the plugin until patched to prevent exploitation
wp plugin deactivate contest-gallery
Web Application Firewall Rules
allImplement WAF rules to block unauthorized access patterns
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict WordPress user role management and review all user permissions
- Deploy security monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to contest gallery endpoints
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Contest Gallery version numberCheck Version:
wp plugin get contest-gallery --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 28.1.2 or higher in WordPress admin📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to /wp-content/plugins/contest-gallery/ endpoints
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful gallery access
Network Indicators:
- Unusual POST/GET requests to contest gallery admin endpoints from unauthorized IPs
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND "contest-gallery" AND ("admin" OR "ajax") AND status=200 AND user_role!=administrator