CVE-2022-45351 in Betheme Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Muffingroup Betheme.This issue affects Betheme: from n/a through 26.6.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2025
The CVE-2022-45351 vulnerability represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the Muffingroup Betheme WordPress theme, exposing systems to unauthorized access and potential exploitation. This vulnerability exists in versions ranging from an unspecified initial version through 26.6.1, indicating a prolonged period during which the theme remained susceptible to attacks targeting the authorization mechanisms. The flaw allows malicious actors to bypass intended access controls, potentially enabling them to perform actions they should not be permitted to execute within the affected system.
This missing authorization vulnerability directly corresponds to CWE-863, which defines the weakness of "Incorrect Authorization" where a system fails to properly enforce access controls for operations that require specific permissions. The issue manifests as an insufficient validation of user privileges, allowing unauthorized individuals to gain access to restricted functionality within the WordPress theme. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform administrative actions, modify content, or access sensitive data without proper authentication, fundamentally undermining the security model of the affected platform.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent access within compromised systems. When an attacker successfully exploits this missing authorization flaw, they can manipulate the theme's functionality to inject malicious code, modify website content, or even escalate privileges to gain full administrative control over the WordPress installation. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used theme like Betheme amplifies the potential attack surface, as numerous websites may be simultaneously vulnerable to the same exploitation vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-45351 should prioritize immediate remediation through updating to the patched version 26.6.2 or later, as this addresses the core authorization bypass issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive access control reviews to identify any unauthorized modifications that may have occurred during the vulnerability's exposure period. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious activities related to theme modifications or unauthorized administrative actions. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security audits of WordPress themes and plugins can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future, aligning with the security best practices outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and persistence tactics.