Gutenberg Blocks with AI by Kadence WP <= 3.6.1 - Missing Authorization to Authenticated (Contributor+) Unauthorized Media Upload

2026-02-17 17:43
Ali Sünbül

Strategic Overview

Vulnerability Overview

The Gutenberg Blocks with AI by Kadence WP plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Missing Authorization in all versions up to, and including, 3.6.1. This is due to a missing capability check in the `process_image_data_ajax_callback()` function which handles the `kadence_import_process_image_data` AJAX action. The function's authorization check via `verify_ajax_call()` only validates `edit_posts` capability but fails to check for the `upload_files` capability. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to upload arbitrary images from remote URLs to the WordPress Media Library, bypassing the standard WordPress capability restriction that prevents Contributors from uploading files.

Technical Analysis

REMEDIATION: Update to version 3.6.2, or a newer patched version --- IDENTIFIER: CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) The product does not perform an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action.

External References

Vulnerability data © Defiant, Inc., provided under the Wordfence Intelligence T&C