CVE-2026-25459
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the Sober WordPress theme that allows attackers to bypass access controls. It affects all versions up to and including 3.5.12, potentially enabling unauthorized access to restricted functionality.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Sober 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 accessing restricted theme configuration pages or functionality they shouldn't have permissions for.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper WordPress user role management and security plugins in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires some WordPress access but not necessarily admin privileges. Attackers need to understand WordPress theme structure.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 3.5.12
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/sober/vulnerability/wordpress-sober-theme-3-5-12-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 Sober theme updates
4. Update to latest version
5. Clear WordPress cache if using caching plugins
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Temporary Theme Deactivation
allDeactivate the Sober theme and switch to a default WordPress theme until patched
wp theme deactivate sober
wp theme activate twentytwentyfour
WordPress User Role Restrictions
allImplement strict user role management and limit theme editing capabilities
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block unauthorized theme modification requests
- Enable WordPress security plugins that monitor and restrict theme file modifications
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Appearance > Themes > Sober theme details for version numberCheck Version:
wp theme list --name=sober --fields=name,status,versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Sober theme version is greater than 3.5.12 in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized POST requests to theme-related endpoints
- Theme file modification logs without proper user permissions
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to /wp-content/themes/sober/ with unauthorized parameters
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (uri_path="/wp-admin/themes.php" OR uri_path CONTAINS "/wp-content/themes/sober/") AND http_method="POST" AND user_role!="administrator"