ExactMetrics 7.1.0 - 9.0.2 - Authenticated (Custom) Improper Privilege Management to Role Privilege Escalation via Settings Update

Summary

The ExactMetrics – Google Analytics Dashboard for WordPress plugin is vulnerable to Improper Privilege Management in versions 7.1.0 through 9.0.2. This is due to the `update_settings()` function accepting arbitrary plugin setting names without a whitelist of allowed settings. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with the `exactmetrics_save_settings` capability to modify any plugin setting, including the `save_settings` option that controls which user roles have access to plugin functionality. The admin intended to delegate configuration access to a trusted user, not enable that user to delegate access to everyone. By setting `save_settings` to include `subscriber`, an attacker can grant plugin administrative access to all subscribers on the site.

Timeline

1. Mar 11, 2026, 9:25 AM UTCCVE published
2. Mar 11, 2026, 1:28 PM UTCCISA SSVC assessment

   Exploitation: none · Automatable: no · Technical impact: total

3. Mar 11, 2026, 1:28 PM UTCRecord last updated

Affected versions

• smub ExactMetrics – Google Analytics Dashboard for WordPress (Website Stats Plugin)

  From 7.1.0 · through 9.0.2

References 5