CVE-2026-5502: themeum tutor lms – elearning and online course solution Missing Authorization

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-5502 is a medium (CVSS 5.3) Missing Authorization vulnerability in themeum tutor lms – elearning and online course solution. EPSS estimates a 0.41% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 33.9% of scored vulnerabilities. Fixed in 3.9.9.

Timeline

1. 17-04-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 17-04-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

The Tutor LMS – eLearning and online course solution plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized course content manipulation in versions up to and including 3.9.8. This is due to a missing authorization check in the tutor_update_course_content_order() function. The function only validates the nonce (CSRF protection) but does not verify whether the user has permission to manage course content. The can_user_manage() authorization check only executes when the 'content_parent' parameter is present in the request. When this parameter is omitted, the function proceeds directly to save_course_content_order() which manipulates the wp_posts table without any authorization validation. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with subscriber-level access and above to detach all lessons from any topic, move lessons between topics, and modify the menu_order of course content, effectively allowing them to disrupt the structure of any course on the site.

• CWE-862Missing AuthorizationThe product does not perform an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action.