CVE-2025-53348
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a missing authorization vulnerability in the Kalium WordPress theme that allows unauthorized users to access functionality intended only for authenticated users. It affects all Kalium theme installations from unknown versions through 3.18.3. WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of the Kalium theme are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Kalium WordPress Theme
⚠️ 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 access administrative functions, modify theme settings, inject malicious code, or potentially escalate privileges to compromise the entire WordPress installation.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users accessing restricted theme functionality, potentially modifying site appearance, settings, or accessing user data that should be protected.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication checks, the vulnerability would be prevented, limiting impact to attempted unauthorized access that gets blocked.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires understanding of WordPress theme structure and potentially some authentication to reach vulnerable endpoints.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 3.18.3
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/theme/kalium/vulnerability/wordpress-kalium-theme-3-18-3-broken-access-control-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Appearance > Themes. 3. Check if Kalium theme is installed. 4. If version is 3.18.3 or earlier, update to latest version. 5. If auto-update available, click update. 6. Verify theme functions correctly after update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Temporary Access Restriction
allImplement additional access controls at web server level to restrict access to theme administration endpoints.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable or replace the Kalium theme with a secure alternative theme.
- Implement web application firewall rules to block unauthorized access to theme administration endpoints.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Appearance > Themes > Kalium theme details for version number. If version is 3.18.3 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp theme list --field=name,version --status=activeVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify the Kalium theme version shows as higher than 3.18.3 in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to theme administration endpoints
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful access to restricted theme functions
Network Indicators:
- Unusual HTTP requests to theme-specific administration endpoints from unauthenticated sources
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (uri_path CONTAINS "kalium" OR uri_path CONTAINS "theme") AND (response_code=200 OR response_code=302) AND user_agent NOT IN ["admin_user_agents"]