CVE-2026-9842

Backstage <= 1.4.2 - Unauthenticated Privilege Escalation via Permissive Demo Role Capabilities

Published Jul 8, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.5 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
The Backstage - Customizer Demo Access plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.2. This is due to the plugin assigning the `manage_options` capability to the `backstage_customizer_user` demo role, which is more permissive than necessary for Customizer-only demo access. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to navigate beyond the Customizer and update arbitrary WordPress options such as `default_role`, leading to privilege escalation.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Pixelgrade
Pixelgrade backstage – Customizer Demo Access
Wordpress
Wordpress wordpress
Vendors & Products Pixelgrade
Pixelgrade backstage – Customizer Demo Access
Wordpress
Wordpress wordpress
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description The Backstage - Customizer Demo Access plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.2. This is due to the plugin assigning the `manage_options` capability to the `backstage_customizer_user` demo role, which is more permissive than necessary for Customizer-only demo access. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to navigate beyond the Customizer and update arbitrary WordPress options such as `default_role`, leading to privilege escalation.
Title Backstage <= 1.4.2 - Unauthenticated Privilege Escalation via Permissive Demo Role Capabilities
Weaknesses CWE-269
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Wordfence
Published
Updated
Jul 8, 2026, 1:01 PM
Reserved
May 28, 2026, 1:26 PM
Status
Deferred
Published
Jul 8, 2026, 5:16 AM
Modified
Jul 8, 2026, 2:55 PM