CVE-2026-22450
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the Select-Themes Don Peppe WordPress theme that allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels. It affects WordPress sites using the Don Peppe theme version 1.3 and earlier, potentially allowing unauthorized access to restricted functionality.
💻 Affected Systems
- Select-Themes Don Peppe 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 site content, install malicious plugins/themes, or access sensitive user data.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users could access restricted theme settings, modify site appearance, or view sensitive configuration data.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls, only authenticated users with appropriate permissions can access theme functionality.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires understanding of WordPress theme structure and access control mechanisms, but is relatively straightforward once identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: >1.3
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/donpeppe/vulnerability/wordpress-don-peppe-theme-1-3-broken-access-control-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Appearance > Themes
3. Check for Don Peppe theme updates
4. Update to latest version (>1.3)
5. If no update available, replace with alternative theme
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable theme
allTemporarily switch to default WordPress theme until patch is available
wp theme activate twentytwentyfour
Restrict theme access
allUse WordPress role management plugins to restrict theme settings access
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict role-based access controls using WordPress security plugins
- Monitor theme-related activity logs for unauthorized access attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Appearance > Themes > Don Peppe theme version. If version is 1.3 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp theme list --name=donpeppe --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify theme version is greater than 1.3 in Appearance > Themes.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to theme settings pages
- Theme file modifications by non-admin users
- Failed authorization attempts for theme functions
Network Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to theme-specific admin endpoints
- Requests to theme files from unauthorized IPs
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("donpeppe" OR "theme settings") AND (status=403 OR user_role!="administrator")