CVE-2021-4360: The Controlled Admin Access plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in versions up to, and

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-4360?

controlled admin access: upgrade to newer than 1.5.5. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2021-4360 being exploited?

CVE-2021-4360 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2021-4360 affect?

CVE-2021-4360 affects controlled admin access. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.9). The Controlled Admin Access plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in versions up to, and including, 1.5.5 by not properly restricting access to the configuration page. This makes it possible for attackers to create a ne

Q: How urgent is CVE-2021-4360?

Priority 56/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference

This month

CRITICAL 9.9UPGRADE

CVE-2021-4360 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.9) affecting controlled admin access. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The Controlled Admin Access plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in versions up to, and including, 1.5.5 by not properly restricting access to the configuration page. This makes it possible for attackers to create a new administrator role with unrestricted access.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.9 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.2% (top 33%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-284
Published	2023-06-07
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Wordfence · Vendor: wpruby

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-06-07 02:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:19 UTCUpdated Record last modified

wpruby controlled admin access UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.5.5

Fixed in: newer than 1.5.5

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy controlled-admin-access || rpm -q controlled-admin-access || controlled-admin-access --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.5.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade controlled-admin-access

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade controlled-admin-access

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2021-4360?

controlled admin access: upgrade to newer than 1.5.5. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-4360 being exploited?

CVE-2021-4360 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2021-4360 affect?

CVE-2021-4360 affects controlled admin access. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.9). The Controlled Admin Access plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in versions up to, and including, 1.5.5 by not properly restricting access to the configuration page. This makes it possible for attackers to create a ne

How urgent is CVE-2021-4360?

Priority 56/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference

Software pages

WordPress vulnerabilities

References

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