CVE-2019-25142 in Mesmerize Theme
Summary
by MITRE • 06/07/2023
The Mesmerize & Materialis themes for WordPress are vulnerable to authenticated options change in versions up to, and including,1.6.89 (Mesmerize) and 1.0.172 (Materialis). This is due to 'companion_disable_popup' function only checking the nonce while sending user input to the 'update_option' function. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers to change otherwise restricted options.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-25142 affects two popular WordPress themes, Mesmerize and Materialis, exposing a critical authorization flaw that allows authenticated attackers to manipulate restricted theme options. This vulnerability resides in the theme's administrative interface where user input is processed without proper validation, creating a pathway for privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. The flaw specifically impacts versions up to and including 1.6.89 for Mesmerize and 1.0.172 for Materialis, representing a significant security risk for WordPress sites utilizing these themes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the 'companion_disable_popup' function which inadequately validates user input despite performing nonce verification. While the nonce check prevents unauthorized requests from external sources, it fails to validate that the submitted data conforms to expected parameters or that the user possesses appropriate privileges to modify the targeted options. This function directly passes user-supplied input to the WordPress 'update_option' function without sanitization or authorization checks, creating a direct injection vector for malicious modifications. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to bypass normal WordPress access controls by exploiting the incomplete validation logic in the theme's administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple option modification, as it enables authenticated attackers to potentially alter core theme settings that could affect site functionality, appearance, and security configurations. Attackers could disable important theme features, modify display settings, or even introduce malicious configurations that persist across site visits. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-284, which describes improper access control in software systems, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' through the exploitation of application-level vulnerabilities. The threat is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that any user with valid WordPress credentials can potentially exploit this weakness.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must include immediate theme updates to versions that address the authorization flaw, as well as implementing additional security measures such as role-based access controls that limit administrative capabilities to trusted users only. Administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized option changes and conduct regular security audits of installed themes and plugins. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive input validation and proper authorization checks in web applications, particularly in content management systems where themes and plugins often provide extended administrative interfaces. Organizations should prioritize patch management processes to ensure timely updates of all WordPress components and regularly review their security configurations to prevent similar authorization bypass scenarios.