CVE-2022-3861 in Betheme Theme
Summary
by MITRE • 11/21/2022
The Betheme theme for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in versions up to, and including, 26.5.1.4 via deserialization of untrusted input supplied via the import, mfn-items-import-page, and mfn-items-import parameters passed through the mfn_builder_import, mfn_builder_import_page, importdata, importsinglepage, and importfromclipboard functions. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber level permissions and above to inject a PHP Object. The additional presence of a POP chain would make it possible for attackers to execute code, retrieve sensitive data, delete files, etc..
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2026
The CVE-2022-3861 vulnerability affects the Betheme WordPress theme, representing a critical security flaw that enables PHP Object Injection attacks. This vulnerability exists in versions up to and including 26.5.1.4, making it particularly dangerous as it impacts a widely used theme with potentially thousands of installations. The flaw stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the theme's import functionality, specifically in the mfn_builder_import, mfn_builder_import_page, importdata, importsinglepage, and importfromclipboard functions. These functions process user-supplied data without adequate security measures, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate serialized PHP objects.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with subscriber level permissions or higher to inject malicious PHP objects through carefully crafted parameters. The attack vector specifically targets the import, mfn-items-import-page, and mfn-items-import parameters, which are processed by the vulnerable functions mentioned above. When these parameters contain serialized data, the theme's deserialization process fails to properly validate the input, leading to the execution of unintended PHP objects. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-502 as "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" and represents a common attack pattern that has been documented in numerous security advisories. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1548.001, which covers "Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism" through privilege escalation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with multiple attack vectors for system compromise. An attacker with subscriber privileges can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the target system, potentially leading to full system compromise. The presence of a POP (Property Object Pollution) chain would amplify the attack capabilities, enabling more sophisticated exploitation techniques. This vulnerability can result in sensitive data retrieval, file deletion, modification of website content, and establishment of persistent access points. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it accessible to users who should not have elevated system access. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Betheme are at significant risk of data breaches, website defacement, and potential use as a foothold for further attacks within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure deserialization practices in web applications.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through theme updates to versions that address the vulnerability. Organizations must ensure all affected installations are updated to the latest stable release of the Betheme theme, which should include proper input validation and sanitization measures. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify other potential attack vectors within the WordPress ecosystem. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include monitoring for suspicious activities and implementing web application firewalls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls to limit the potential damage from compromised accounts.