CVE-2026-1729 is a critical vulnerability classified under CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Function) found in the AdForest WordPress theme developed by scriptsbundle. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 6.0.12. The root cause is the improper verification of user identity in the 'sb_login_user_with_otp_fun' function, which is responsible for authenticating users via a one-time password (OTP) mechanism. Due to missing authentication checks, an unauthenticated attacker can invoke this function remotely and gain access as any arbitrary user, including high-privilege administrator accounts. This bypasses all normal login controls and session management, effectively allowing full site takeover. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8, reflecting its critical severity with network attack vector, no required privileges, no user interaction, and complete impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability's nature makes it highly exploitable. The lack of official patches at the time of disclosure means that affected sites remain vulnerable until mitigations or updates are applied. This issue poses a significant threat to WordPress sites using the AdForest theme, especially those hosting sensitive or business-critical content.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2026-1729 can be severe. Unauthorized access to administrator accounts can lead to complete site compromise, including data theft, defacement, insertion of malicious code, and disruption of services. Organizations relying on AdForest for classified ads, job boards, or e-commerce platforms risk exposure of sensitive customer data and loss of business continuity. The breach of integrity and confidentiality can also lead to reputational damage and regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is compromised. The availability impact can disrupt online services, affecting revenue and user trust. Given the ease of exploitation and lack of authentication, attackers can automate attacks at scale, increasing the likelihood of widespread incidents. European entities with limited cybersecurity resources or delayed patch management processes are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and subsequent damage.

Since no official patches are currently available, European organizations should implement immediate compensating controls. First, disable or restrict access to the 'sb_login_user_with_otp_fun' function by modifying the theme code or using WordPress hooks to prevent unauthenticated calls. Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to block suspicious requests targeting this function or unusual login attempts. Monitor authentication logs closely for anomalies such as logins from unknown IP addresses or multiple failed attempts followed by successful logins. Limit administrative access by IP whitelisting or multi-factor authentication (MFA) where possible to reduce risk even if credentials are compromised. Maintain regular backups of website data and configurations to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise. Stay alert for official patches or updates from scriptsbundle and apply them promptly once released. Additionally, conduct security audits and penetration testing focused on authentication mechanisms to identify any other weaknesses.