CVE-2022-45352 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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-45352 represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the Muffingroup Betheme WordPress theme, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified initial version through 26.6.1. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient authorization checks, which is classified as CWE-285 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The flaw allows unauthorized users to perform actions that should be restricted to authenticated administrators or specific user roles, creating a significant security risk for WordPress installations utilizing this theme.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the theme's codebase, particularly in how it handles user permissions and authentication checks for various administrative functions. When a user accesses certain endpoints or performs specific operations within the theme's administrative interface, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary privileges to execute those actions. This oversight enables attackers to exploit the gap by crafting malicious requests that bypass normal authorization protocols, potentially allowing them to modify theme settings, upload files, or execute arbitrary code depending on the scope of the exposed functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress ecosystem. Attackers who successfully exploit this missing authorization check could gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions, potentially leading to complete compromise of the WordPress site. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the theme's administrative interface, making it particularly dangerous as it undermines the fundamental security model that WordPress relies upon to protect against unauthorized modifications. This issue directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers valid accounts used for unauthorized access, as the vulnerability allows attackers to assume administrative privileges without proper authentication.
Organizations utilizing Muffingroup Betheme versions prior to 26.6.1 should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves updating to version 26.6.1 or later, where the authorization checks have been properly implemented. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough audits of their WordPress installations to identify any unauthorized modifications or suspicious activities that may have occurred during the vulnerability window. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and access control lists can provide additional layers of defense while the update process is underway. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authorization implementation in web applications and serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor access control oversights can result in significant security breaches. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege practices and regularly reviewing user permissions to minimize potential damage from similar authorization failures.