# CVE-2026-45436: WPBakery Page Builder broken access control in WordPress plugin

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-45436-wpbakery-page-builder-broken-access-control-in-wordpress-plugin  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-06-17. Updated: 2026-06-17  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-45436 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.5 · Published 2026-06-17

WPBakery Page Builder, a popular tool for designing WordPress websites, contains a security flaw that allows low-level users to perform actions they should not be authorized to do. An attacker with a basic 'Subscriber' account could exploit this to modify site content or settings, potentially disrupting operations or defacing the website. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it can be targeted in automated mass-exploit campaigns against WordPress sites.

Technologies: [WPBakery Page Builder](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/wpbakery-page-builder). Vendors: [WPBakery](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/wpbakery).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-45436 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-45436 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-45436?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.5, published 17 June 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** WPBakery Page Builder <= 8.7.2.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-45436?** A patch was published on 2026-05-13: Version 8.7.3 released Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-45436 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-45436?** Check whether you run WPBakery Page Builder at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A broken access control vulnerability (CWE-862) exists in WPBakery Page Builder (formerly Visual Composer) versions <= 8.7.2. The flaw stems from missing authorization checks in certain functions, allowing an authenticated user with Subscriber-level privileges to execute actions intended for higher-privileged roles. The attack vector is network-based and requires low privileges but no user interaction. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to compromise the integrity of the site by performing unauthorized modifications. The issue is resolved in version 8.7.3.

## Affected products

- Rain-Task Ltd. WPBakery Page Builder <= 8.7.2

## Timeline

- 2026-05-11: other: Reported by Ethan Consulting
- 2026-05-13: advisory: Patchstack published advisory
- 2026-06-17: disclosed: NVD publication date
- 2026-05-13: patched: Version 8.7.3 released

## References

- [https://wordpress.org/plugins](https://wordpress.org/plugins)
- [https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/js_composer/vulnerability/wordpress-wpbakery-page-builder-plugin-8-7-2-broken-access-control-vulnerability?_s_id=cve](https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/js_composer/vulnerability/wordpress-wpbakery-page-builder-plugin-8-7-2-broken-access-control-vulnerability?_s_id=cve)

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