CVE-2026-111413 in Theme Helper Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/16/2026
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in aThemeArt aThemeArt Theme Helper athemeart-theme-helper allows Cross Site Request Forgery.This issue affects aThemeArt Theme Helper: from n/a through 1.0.8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2026
The identified security flaw represents a classic Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability within the aThemeArt Theme Helper plugin, specifically affecting versions ranging from initial release up to version 1.0.8. CSRF attacks exploit the trust that a web application has in a user's browser by tricking the user into performing unintended actions on behalf of an authenticated session. In this specific context, the vulnerability arises because the targeted functionality within the theme helper does not adequately validate or verify whether the request originated from a legitimate source authorized by the user. This lack of verification allows an attacker to craft malicious requests that mimic valid commands intended for the application, thereby bypassing standard access controls and executing actions with the privileges of the currently logged-in user without their knowledge or consent.
From a technical perspective, the core deficiency lies in the absence of anti-CSRF tokens or similar synchronization token mechanisms within the HTTP requests processed by the plugin. When a user is authenticated to the WordPress environment where this theme helper operates, their browser automatically includes session cookies with every request made to that domain. If the application relies solely on these cookies for authentication and does not require additional proof such as a unique, unpredictable CSRF token embedded in forms or custom headers, an attacker can leverage social engineering techniques like phishing links or malicious websites to force the victim's browser to send requests to vulnerable endpoints. These endpoints likely handle sensitive administrative functions given that theme helpers often manage plugin settings, template modifications, or configuration changes, making the potential impact significantly higher than simple data exfiltration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its ability to manipulate state-changing operations on behalf of the victim. An attacker could potentially alter site configurations, install malicious plugins, modify user roles, or change theme settings without authorization. This can lead to complete compromise of the WordPress installation's integrity and availability. Furthermore, because CSRF attacks are often stealthy and do not require stealing session cookies directly via Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), they remain difficult for victims to detect until damage is done. The attacker does not need any prior access or credentials; they only need a victim with an active administrative session on the targeted site. This makes it a potent vector for automated attacks where large numbers of sites can be compromised simultaneously if multiple installations are running vulnerable versions of this plugin.
To mitigate this risk, immediate action is required to update the aThemeArt Theme Helper plugin to version 1.0.9 or any later release that includes patches for this vulnerability. If updating is not immediately feasible, administrators should implement server-side mitigations such as enforcing strict Content Security Policy headers and ensuring that sensitive actions require re-authentication via password prompts. Additionally, verifying that the application properly implements anti-CSRF tokens in all state-changing forms and AJAX requests is critical. From a broader security architecture standpoint, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which defines Cross-Site Request Forgery as a weakness where an attacker causes a user to submit a request they did not intend. It also maps to the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1089, specifically under Disabling Security Tools or modifying system configurations if the CSRF is used to alter security settings. Regular auditing of plugin code for proper session validation and adherence to OWASP guidelines on state management will help prevent similar issues in future developments.