CVE-2025-14367: 
WordPress vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2025-14367 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the Easy Theme Options plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 1.0. The flaw resides in the eto_import_settings function, which lacks proper authorization checks, allowing authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access or higher to import arbitrary plugin settings. It was published on December 13, 2025, with the assigner credited as Wordfence. The vulnerability carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.3 (Medium) (Red Hat CVE, Wordfence).

The root cause is classified as CWE-862 (Missing Authorization). Specifically, the eto_import_settings function in the plugin does not perform authorization checks before processing the eto_import_settings POST parameter, allowing any authenticated user — including those with the lowest Subscriber role — to submit and apply arbitrary plugin configuration data. The vulnerable code is visible in the plugin's source at lines 277 and 282 of easy-theme-options.php. No complex preconditions are required beyond having a valid WordPress account on the target site (Wordfence, WordPress Trac).

Successful exploitation allows low-privileged authenticated users to overwrite the Easy Theme Options plugin's configuration with arbitrary values, directly impacting site integrity. While confidentiality and availability are not affected, an attacker could manipulate theme settings in ways that deface the site, inject malicious content into theme options, or disrupt the intended appearance and behavior of the WordPress site. The scope is limited to the plugin's settings, but depending on how those settings are rendered, downstream effects on site visitors are possible (Red Hat CVE, Wordfence).

No public exploit code or active in-the-wild exploitation has been reported for CVE-2025-14367. The EPSS score is approximately 0.026% (0.000260), indicating a very low probability of exploitation in the near term. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Exploitation requires at minimum a valid Subscriber-level WordPress account on the target site, which limits opportunistic mass exploitation (Wordfence).

1. Reconnaissance: Identify WordPress sites running the Easy Theme Options plugin version 1.0 or earlier, using tools like WPScan or by checking the plugin's readme.txt file exposed at /wp-content/plugins/easy-theme-options/readme.txt.
2. Obtain authentication: Register or obtain a Subscriber-level (or higher) account on the target WordPress site. Many sites allow open registration.
3. Craft malicious request: Prepare an HTTP POST request targeting the WordPress admin-ajax endpoint or the relevant admin page that invokes the eto_import_settings function, including a crafted eto_import_settings parameter containing arbitrary plugin settings (e.g., injected HTML or JavaScript in theme option fields).
4. Submit the request: Send the crafted POST request while authenticated. Because no authorization check is performed, the server will accept and apply the submitted settings.
5. Achieve objective: The modified plugin settings are saved to the database and rendered on the site, potentially resulting in content injection, defacement, or manipulation of theme behavior (Wordfence, WordPress Trac).

• Logs: WordPress access logs showing authenticated POST requests to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php or plugin-specific admin pages containing the eto_import_settings parameter from low-privileged user accounts.
• Database: Unexpected or unauthorized changes to the Easy Theme Options plugin settings stored in the wp_options table (e.g., modified option values for the plugin's settings key).
• File System: No direct file system artifacts expected, but review plugin option values for injected scripts or unexpected HTML content.
• Behavior: Unexplained changes to site appearance or theme configuration not initiated by administrators.

Site administrators should update the Easy Theme Options plugin to version 1.1 or later, which includes the necessary authorization checks in the eto_import_settings function. If an immediate update is not possible, consider deactivating the plugin until a patch can be applied. Additionally, restrict WordPress user registration to trusted individuals to reduce the pool of potential attackers (Wordfence).

The vulnerability was discovered and reported by Wordfence, which published the advisory on December 13, 2025. Coverage has been limited to automated vulnerability aggregators and security feeds, with no notable researcher commentary or significant social media discussion identified beyond standard CVE tracking (Wordfence).