CVE-2025-1778
📋 TL;DR
The Art Theme for WordPress has a missing capability check in its 'arttheme_theme_option_restore' AJAX function, allowing authenticated users with subscriber-level access or higher to delete theme options. This affects all versions up to 3.12.2.3. Any WordPress site using this theme is vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Art Theme for WordPress
⚠️ 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
An attacker could delete critical theme configuration, causing site functionality loss, broken layouts, or requiring complete theme reconfiguration.
Likely Case
Malicious users could disrupt site appearance or functionality by deleting theme options, requiring administrative intervention to restore settings.
If Mitigated
With proper user access controls and monitoring, impact is limited to temporary configuration disruption that can be restored from backups.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is simple once authenticated. Subscriber-level access is sufficient.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 3.12.2.3
Vendor Advisory: https://themeforest.net/item/art-simple-clean-wordpress-theme-for-creatives/20170299
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update Art Theme to latest version via WordPress admin panel. 2. Verify theme version is greater than 3.12.2.3. 3. No server restart required.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove vulnerable theme
allTemporarily switch to default WordPress theme until patch is applied
In WordPress admin: Appearance > Themes > Activate default theme
Restrict user registration
allDisable new user registration to prevent attacker account creation
In WordPress admin: Settings > General > Uncheck 'Anyone can register'
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict user access controls and monitor for suspicious theme option changes
- Regularly backup theme configurations and maintain restore procedures
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel: Appearance > Themes > Art Theme details. If version is 3.12.2.3 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
WordPress admin panel or check theme's style.css file for Version: headerVerify Fix Applied:
After update, verify theme version is greater than 3.12.2.3 in Appearance > Themes.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- AJAX requests to 'arttheme_theme_option_restore' endpoint from non-admin users
- Unexpected theme option deletions in WordPress logs
Network Indicators:
- POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with action=arttheme_theme_option_restore
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (uri_path="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" AND parameters.action="arttheme_theme_option_restore")