# CVE-2026-85569: Tutor LMS privilege escalation via REST API request misclassification

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85569-tutor-lms-privilege-escalation-via-rest-api-request  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-16. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-85569 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.2 · Published 2026-09-16

Tutor LMS is a popular WordPress plugin that provides learning management system functionality. A flaw in the plugin's REST API authentication allows someone with a read-only API key to escalate privileges and perform administrative actions, potentially compromising the entire site and its student data.

Technologies: [Themeum Tutor LMS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/tutor-lms). Vendors: [Themeum](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/themeum).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-85569 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-85569 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-85569?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.2, published 16 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Themeum Tutor LMS 2.7.1 before 4.0.8.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-85569?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-85569 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-85569?** Check whether you run Themeum Tutor LMS 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

The vulnerability is an authentication bypass and privilege escalation flaw in Tutor LMS versions before 4.0.8. The plugin fails to correctly identify which REST API requests belong to its own API endpoints and does not properly enforce permission levels associated with API credentials. An attacker in possession of a read-only API key can craft requests that are misclassified, allowing them to act with administrator privileges under the account that issued the key. The vulnerability requires network access to the WordPress REST API endpoint. Patches are available in version 4.0.8 and later.

## Affected products

- Themeum Tutor LMS 2.7.1 before 4.0.8

## Timeline

- 2026-09-14: disclosed
- 2026-09-16: advisory: Published in NVD

## References

- [https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/ddbae988-37a2-4fb7-a813-bbc708f1f1c9/](https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/ddbae988-37a2-4fb7-a813-bbc708f1f1c9/)

## Related threats

- [Tutor LMS insecure direct object reference in API routing](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-93779-the-tutor-lms-elearning-and-online-course-solution-plugin-for)
- [Themeum Tutor LMS stored cross-site scripting](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-111407-improper-neutralization-of-input-during-web-page-generation)
- [Tutor LMS insecure direct object reference in course update](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-92715-the-tutor-lms-elearning-and-online-course-solution-plugin-for)
- [Tutor LMS stored cross-site scripting via display_name](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-93681-the-tutor-lms-elearning-and-online-course-solution-plugin-for)
- [Themeum Tutor LMS reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42702-improper-neutralization-of-input-during-web-page-generation-cross)