Rank Math Plugin - Privilege Escalation (CVE-2020-11514)

CVE-2020-11514 is a critical vulnerability in the Rank Math WordPress plugin up to version 1.0.40.2, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to update arbitrary WordPress metadata via an insecure REST API endpoint. This flaw can be exploited to escalate or revoke administrative privileges for existing users, potentially leading to full site compromise.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 24th of September 2025.

According to CrowdSec data, while opportunistic exploitation dominates, a portion of threat actors trying to exploit CVE-2020-11514 apply basic targeting methods such as port or service detection. This indicates emerging patterns of selective targeting. CrowdSec data also reveals a clear uptick in attacks involving CVE-2020-11514 over the past week. Activity is above the usual baseline, suggesting growing attention from attackers. This may reflect rising awareness, recent exploit releases, or expanded targeting efforts.

Attackers exploit the unprotected /wp-json/rankmath/v1/updateMeta REST API endpoint to escalate privileges or modify user metadata on vulnerable WordPress sites running the Rank Math SEO plugin.