CVE-2026-32341 in Benevolent Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/13/2026
Missing Authorization vulnerability in raratheme Benevolent benevolent allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Benevolent: from n/a through <= 1.3.9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2026
The CVE-2026-32341 vulnerability represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the raratheme Benevolent theme for WordPress, specifically impacting versions through 1.3.9. This vulnerability stems from incorrectly configured access control security levels that fail to properly validate user permissions before granting access to sensitive administrative functions. The flaw allows unauthenticated or low-privileged users to exploit the theme's functionality and potentially gain unauthorized access to administrative features that should be restricted to authorized personnel only.
This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-285, which specifically addresses improper authorization within software systems. The issue manifests when the theme fails to implement proper access control checks, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and execute privileged operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a widely used WordPress theme, potentially exposing numerous websites to unauthorized modifications, data breaches, or complete system compromise. The missing authorization check likely occurs in administrative endpoints or configuration interfaces where the theme handles user permissions and access levels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to manipulate core theme settings, modify content, or potentially install malicious code within affected WordPress installations. Attackers could leverage this weakness to escalate privileges, modify user accounts, or even take complete control of vulnerable websites. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the theme, undermining the principle of least privilege and allowing unauthorized users to perform actions typically restricted to administrators or authorized personnel. This creates a significant risk for websites relying on the Benevolent theme, as the attack surface expands to include all functionalities that should require proper authentication and authorization.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate updates to the latest version of the Benevolent theme where the authorization flaw has been patched. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, reviewing user permissions regularly, and ensuring that the WordPress core and all plugins are kept up to date with the latest security patches. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block exploitation attempts, along with regular security audits of their WordPress installations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the T1078 credential access sub-technique, where adversaries leverage weak access controls to gain elevated privileges within systems. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and access control checks in the theme's code can prevent similar issues in future deployments.