CVE-2024-12855 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) affecting the AdForest WordPress theme developed by scriptsbundle. The flaw exists because several AJAX endpoints, such as 'sb_remove_ad', lack proper capability checks to verify if the authenticated user has the required permissions to perform sensitive actions. This oversight allows any authenticated user with Subscriber-level privileges or higher to invoke these AJAX actions and perform unauthorized modifications, including deleting posts and attachments or deactivating licenses. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 5.1.7. Exploitation requires authentication but no additional user interaction, and it can be triggered remotely via network requests. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.3, reflecting a medium severity primarily due to the limited impact on confidentiality and availability but a clear impact on integrity. No patches have been linked yet, and no known exploits have been observed in the wild. The vulnerability is significant because WordPress themes like AdForest are widely used for classified ads and e-commerce websites, where unauthorized deletion of content or license deactivation could disrupt business operations and user trust.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-12855 is unauthorized modification of data integrity within websites using the AdForest theme. Attackers with low-level authenticated access (Subscriber or above) can delete posts and attachments, potentially causing loss of critical content and disruption of website functionality. Deactivation of licenses could lead to loss of theme functionality or support, further impacting site stability and user experience. While confidentiality and availability are not directly affected, the integrity compromise can undermine trust and operational continuity, especially for businesses relying on classified ads or listings. Organizations worldwide using this theme are at risk of content sabotage or service degradation, which can result in financial loss, reputational damage, and increased support costs. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers could develop exploits given the public disclosure.

To mitigate CVE-2024-12855, organizations should first check for and apply any official patches or updates from the scriptsbundle vendor once available. In the absence of patches, administrators should implement strict access controls by limiting Subscriber-level access and above to trusted users only. Reviewing and hardening user roles and capabilities within WordPress can reduce the attack surface. Additionally, web application firewalls (WAFs) can be configured to monitor and block suspicious AJAX requests targeting the vulnerable endpoints. Custom code can be introduced to add capability checks on the affected AJAX actions, ensuring only authorized users can perform sensitive operations. Regular backups of website content and configurations are essential to recover from unauthorized deletions. Monitoring logs for unusual activity related to AJAX calls can help detect exploitation attempts early. Finally, educating site administrators and users about the risks of granting excessive permissions can prevent exploitation.