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CVE Record

CVE-2026-2301: Post Duplicator <= 3.0.8 - Missing Authorization to Authenticated (Contributor+) Protected Post Meta Insertion via 'customMetaData' Parameter

The Post Duplicator plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized arbitrary protected post meta insertion in all versions up to, and including, 3.0.8. This is due to the `duplicate_post()` function in `includes/api.php` using `$wpdb->insert()` directly to the `wp_postmeta` table instead of WordPress's standard `add_post_meta()` function, which would call `is_protected_meta()` to prevent lower-privileged users from setting protected meta keys (those starting with `_`). This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary protected post meta keys such as `_wp_page_template`, `_wp_attached_file`, and other sensitive meta keys on duplicated posts via the `customMetaData` JSON array parameter in the `/wp-json/post-duplicator/v1/duplicate-post` REST API endpoint.

MediumCVSS 4.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2026-2301 affects the WordPress Post Duplicator plugin through version 3.0.8. A logged-in user with Contributor-level access or higher could add hidden post metadata when duplicating posts. This is an integrity issue, not a full site takeover based on the provided sources.

Executive priority

Treat this as a near-term hygiene fix for WordPress environments with shared authoring access. It is not currently evidenced as mass-exploited, but it can let lower-privileged users alter hidden post behavior.

Technical view

The plugin’s REST duplicate-post handler accepts a customMetaData JSON array and writes directly to wp_postmeta using $wpdb->insert(). This bypasses WordPress add_post_meta() handling and is_protected_meta() checks, allowing lower-privileged authenticated users to set protected meta keys beginning with underscores.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to WordPress sites running Post Duplicator up to and including 3.0.8, especially where Contributor or higher roles are assigned to untrusted users.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector indicates network access, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and limited integrity impact. The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation.

Researcher notes

Key issue is missing authorization and protected-meta validation in duplicate_post(). The referenced changeset may indicate remediation work, but the provided bundle does not name a fixed plugin version. Avoid assuming broader impact beyond protected post meta insertion.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify WordPress sites using Post Duplicator version 3.0.8 or earlier.
  • Check the plugin vendor or WordPress plugin repository for updated guidance.
  • Update the plugin if a fixed release is available from the vendor.
  • Remove or disable the plugin if it is not business-critical.
  • Limit Contributor and higher roles to trusted users only.
  • Review duplicated posts for unexpected protected metadata before publishing.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory installed Post Duplicator versions across WordPress environments.
  • Review users with Contributor, Author, Editor, or Administrator roles.
  • Check logs for use of the duplicate-post REST endpoint.
  • Inspect recent duplicated posts for unusual underscore-prefixed metadata.
  • Confirm remediation against vendor release notes or repository changes.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
6

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cwe · medium confidence lookup

CWE-862: Authorization and privilege behavior lookup

Authorization weaknesses can support privilege escalation and valid-account review, depending on exploit path. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2026-2301 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
4.3 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
4Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
4.3CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N2.81.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

4.3Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-2301Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
metaphorcreationsPost Duplicator0unaffected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-862

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-862 · source CWE mapping

Missing Authorization

Missing Authorization represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

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