CVE-2025-14367
📋 TL;DR
The Easy Theme Options WordPress plugin has a missing authorization vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access or higher to import arbitrary plugin settings. This could allow attackers to modify theme configurations, potentially leading to site defacement or other unauthorized changes. All WordPress sites using this plugin up to version 1.0 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Easy Theme Options WordPress Plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could completely reconfigure the theme, inject malicious code, deface the website, or create backdoors for persistent access.
Likely Case
Attackers modify theme settings to deface the site, change functionality, or inject malicious scripts for SEO spam or malware distribution.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact is limited to unauthorized theme setting changes that can be detected and reverted.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is straightforward via the 'eto_import_settings' parameter. The vulnerability is publicly documented with code references.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Not available
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/easy-theme-options/tags/1.0/easy-theme-options.php
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Remove the Easy Theme Options plugin from your WordPress installation. 2. Delete the plugin files from /wp-content/plugins/easy-theme-options/. 3. Consider alternative theme options plugins that are actively maintained.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict User Registration
allDisable new user registration to prevent attackers from obtaining Subscriber accounts.
In WordPress admin: Settings > General > Membership > Uncheck 'Anyone can register'
Remove Plugin Functionality
allDisable the vulnerable function by adding authorization checks or removing the endpoint.
Add authorization check before line 277 in easy-theme-options.php: if (!current_user_can('manage_options')) { wp_die('Unauthorized'); }
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the Easy Theme Options plugin completely and use alternative theme configuration methods
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block requests containing 'eto_import_settings' parameter
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if the Easy Theme Options plugin is installed and activated in WordPress admin panel under Plugins > Installed Plugins.Check Version:
In WordPress admin: Plugins > Installed Plugins, look for Easy Theme Options versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the plugin has been completely removed from /wp-content/plugins/ directory and no longer appears in WordPress admin.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- POST requests to WordPress admin-ajax.php or admin-post.php containing 'eto_import_settings' parameter
- Unauthorized theme setting changes in WordPress logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests with 'eto_import_settings' parameter to WordPress admin endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (uri_path="*/admin-ajax.php" OR uri_path="*/admin-post.php") AND http_method="POST" AND parameters CONTAINS "eto_import_settings"🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/easy-theme-options/tags/1.0/easy-theme-options.php#L277
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/easy-theme-options/tags/1.0/easy-theme-options.php#L282
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/8405e80d-fd72-4d87-b08a-19a686eb2982?source=cve
