CVE-2025-67572
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a missing authorization vulnerability in the PenciDesign PenNews WordPress theme that allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels. It affects all versions before 6.7.4, potentially allowing unauthorized access to restricted functionality or data.
💻 Affected Systems
- PenciDesign PenNews 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 gain administrative privileges, modify theme settings, inject malicious code, or access sensitive user data.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users could modify theme configurations, access restricted content, or perform actions reserved for authenticated users.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication checks, the vulnerability would be prevented from being exploited.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires understanding of WordPress theme structure and access control mechanisms, but is relatively straightforward for attackers familiar with WordPress.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 6.7.4
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/pennews/vulnerability/wordpress-pennews-theme-6-7-4-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 PenNews theme is active
4. Update theme to version 6.7.4 or later
5. Verify update completed successfully
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Temporary Theme Deactivation
allDeactivate the PenNews theme and switch to a default WordPress theme until patched
wp theme deactivate pennews
wp theme activate twentytwentyfour
Access Restriction via .htaccess
linuxRestrict access to theme directories using web server configuration
# Add to .htaccess in WordPress root:
<FilesMatch "\.(php|inc)$">
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access control rules at the web application firewall (WAF) level to block unauthorized requests to theme endpoints.
- Monitor and audit all access to theme-related files and directories for suspicious activity.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel under Appearance > Themes for PenNews theme version. If version is below 6.7.4, the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp theme list --name=pennews --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify the theme version shows 6.7.4 or higher in WordPress admin panel. Test restricted functionality to ensure proper authorization checks are in place.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to theme administration endpoints
- Multiple failed authorization attempts followed by successful access to restricted areas
- Unusual theme file modifications by non-admin users
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to theme-specific admin endpoints from unauthenticated sources
- Unusual POST requests to theme configuration endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND (uri_path="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" OR uri_path CONTAINS "pennews") AND (response_code=200 OR response_code=302) AND user_agent NOT CONTAINS "admin"