Frontend Admin permits unauthenticated administrator account takeover

Frontend Admin through 3.29.12 lacks capability and ownership checks in pre_update_value(), while ActionPost::conditions_logic() skips its edit_post authorization gate when a submitted post ID is non-numeric, such as user_1. An unauthenticated form submission can therefore target an arbitrary user record, replace an Administrator's email address, and use WordPress password reset to take over the account.

CVE / CNA score 9.8 CVSS 3.1 · security@wordfence.com

NVD score Pending NVD has not published its own CVSS assessment.

Component: Frontend Admin by DynamiApps
Plugin slug: acf-frontend-form-element
Affected: <= 3.29.12
Safe version: See mitigation notes
Published: Sep 06, 2026
Weakness: CWE-287 — Improper Authentication

This CVE was published Sep 06, 2026 and is one of 20 known issues for this plugin.

What to do

Update, patch or deactivate.

Version 3.29.13 is available and may resolve the issue, but its official changelog does not confirm this CVE. Update conservatively, restrict unauthenticated Frontend Admin forms until remediation is confirmed, and audit user email changes, password resets, Administrator accounts, and active sessions.

No confirmed safe version is listed. Consider a vendor-supported patch or temporarily restricting the affected functionality while you assess the risk.

Deactivate only when warranted by your risk profile, or when advised by your hosting provider in the limited circumstances where the vulnerability cannot otherwise be mitigated. If you’re unsure which action is appropriate, contact Fused or your hosting provider for guidance.

Source record

Technical description

The Frontend Admin by DynamiApps plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Authentication Bypass to Account Takeover in all versions up to, and including, 3.29.12. This is due to the pre_update_value function lacking any capability or ownership check, and ActionPost::conditions_logic() short-circuiting its current_user_can('edit_post') authorization gate whenever the post ID is non-numeric — such as the string user_1 — allowing unauthenticated form submissions to be routed to arbitrary user records without restriction. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to overwrite any user's registered email address, including an administrator's, and then leverage WordPress's native password-reset flow to fully take over the targeted account.

CVE / CNA vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

References

Primary and upstream sources

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