Identifying Vulnerabilities in Popular ThemeForest WordPress Themes
A recent vulnerability advisory has been issued regarding two WordPress themes sold on ThemeForest, warning users of potential risks associated with these popular themes. The vulnerabilities found in these themes could potentially allow hackers to delete arbitrary files and inject malicious scripts into websites, posing a serious threat to website security and integrity.
Two WordPress Themes Sold On ThemeForest
The two WordPress themes in question are Betheme and The Enfold – Responsive Multi-Purpose Theme, both of which are widely used with over a half million sales combined. These themes are popular choices for website owners looking for customizable and feature-rich designs, making them attractive targets for hackers seeking to exploit vulnerabilities for malicious purposes.
Betheme Theme for WordPress Vulnerability
Wordfence, a leading cybersecurity firm, issued an advisory highlighting a critical vulnerability in the Betheme theme for WordPress. The vulnerability, identified as a PHP Object Injection flaw, was rated as a high threat due to its potential impact on website security.
According to Wordfence, the PHP Object Injection vulnerability in the Betheme theme allows for the deserialization of untrusted input in the ‘mfn-page-items’ post meta value. This vulnerability could be exploited by authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher to inject a PHP Object, potentially leading to the deletion of arbitrary files, retrieval of sensitive data, or execution of unauthorized code.
Has Betheme Theme Been Patched?
While a patch for the Betheme theme was released on August 30, 2024, Wordfence’s advisory does not acknowledge this update. It is crucial for users of the Betheme theme to update to the latest version, Version 27.5.7.1, to mitigate the risks associated with the PHP Object Injection vulnerability and ensure the security of their websites.
The Enfold – Responsive Multi-Purpose Theme for WordPress Vulnerability
In addition to the Betheme theme, the Enfold – Responsive Multi-Purpose Theme for WordPress was also found to have a vulnerability that could compromise website security. The vulnerability, identified as a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaw, allows authenticated attackers with Contributor-level access or higher to inject arbitrary web scripts into pages using the ‘wrapper_class’ and ‘class’ parameters.
Wordfence warns that the Enfold theme is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in all versions up to, and including, 6.0.3. This vulnerability poses a risk of executing malicious scripts whenever a user accesses an injected page, potentially leading to unauthorized actions on the website.
Enfold Vulnerability Has Not Been Patched
As of the latest information available, the Enfold – Responsive Multi-Purpose Theme for WordPress has not been patched to address the Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability. The lack of a fix for this vulnerability leaves websites using the Enfold theme at risk of exploitation by malicious actors seeking to inject harmful scripts and compromise website security.
Mitigating Risks and Ensuring Website Security
In light of the vulnerabilities identified in the Betheme and Enfold themes, it is essential for website owners to take proactive measures to mitigate risks and enhance website security. This includes updating themes to the latest versions, implementing security best practices, and monitoring for any signs of unauthorized access or malicious activity on their websites.
It is also recommended to stay informed about security advisories and updates from theme publishers and cybersecurity experts to address vulnerabilities promptly and protect websites from potential threats. By staying vigilant and taking proactive steps to enhance website security, website owners can safeguard their online presence and prevent unauthorized access or malicious attacks on their websites.
Conclusion
The vulnerabilities identified in the Betheme and Enfold themes sold on ThemeForest highlight the importance of prioritizing website security and taking proactive measures to protect websites from potential threats. By staying informed about security advisories, updating themes to the latest versions, and implementing security best practices, website owners can enhance their website security and mitigate risks associated with vulnerabilities identified in popular WordPress themes.