CVE-2026-104022 Details
Description
The Academy LMS – AI Course Builder, Quizzes, Certificates & eLearning plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in all versions up to, and including, 4.0.3. This is due to the `add_child()` function calling `add_role('academy_student')` on any existing account resolved from the attacker-supplied `email` parameter before `Store::link()` validates the guardian-ward relationship, and failing to roll back that role write when `Store::link()` returns a `WP_Error`. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with the `academy_guardian` role or higher to elevate any existing WordPress account — including their own — to the `academy_student` role, gaining `edit_posts` (Contributor-equivalent) capabilities and, when the student file-upload setting is enabled, `upload_files` (Author-equivalent) capabilities not granted to the guardian role. When a guardian supplies their own email address, `email_exists()` resolves to their own user ID, causing `Store::link()` to reject the self-link, but because the `add_role()` call has already executed and is never reversed, the academy_student role grant on their own account persists permanently.
A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Academy LMS WordPress plugin, specifically in versions through 4.0.3. The issue arises because the add_child() function assigns the 'academy_student' role to any account linked from an attacker-provided email, before the guardian-ward relationship is properly validated. This flaw allows authenticated users with the 'academy_guardian' role or higher to elevate any WordPress account, including their own, to the 'academy_student' role. This role grants 'edit_posts' capabilities, similar to a Contributor, and 'upload_files' capabilities, equivalent to an Author, if the student file-upload option is enabled. Notably, when a guardian uses their own email, the system recognizes it as their user ID and prevents the self-linking, but the role assignment remains unchanged, creating a permanent privilege escalation.
Users are advised to update the Academy LMS plugin to version 4.0.4 or a newer patched version.
Metrics
CVSS 4.0 Severity and Vector Strings:
CVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:
No data available for CVSS Version 2.0 on this CVE.
Volerion
Assessed Oct 10, 2026CISA-ADP
Assessed Oct 11, 2026References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
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Weakness Enumeration
| CWE-ID | CWE Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CWE-269 | Improper Privilege Management | [email protected] |
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| Academy LMS | <= 4.0.3 (semver) |
CPE
Remediation
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Change History
2 change records found show changes
| Date | Action | Recorded By |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 11, 2026 | CVE Modified | CISA-ADP |
| Oct 10, 2026 | New CVE Received | [email protected] |
Volerion