CVE-2026-22396 is an authorization bypass vulnerability identified in the Mikado-Themes Fiorello WordPress theme, affecting versions up to 1.0. The vulnerability arises from incorrectly configured access control security levels that allow an attacker to manipulate user-controlled keys to bypass authorization checks. This means that an attacker with limited privileges (PR:L) can exploit this flaw remotely (AV:N) without requiring user interaction (UI:N) to gain unauthorized access to resources or functionalities that should be restricted. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the affected system by potentially exposing sensitive data or allowing unauthorized modifications, although it does not affect availability. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4, reflecting a medium severity level due to the ease of exploitation (low attack complexity) but requiring some privileges. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating that the vulnerability is newly disclosed. The root cause is the failure to properly validate or restrict keys controlled by users within the theme’s access control logic, which can be leveraged to bypass intended security restrictions. This type of vulnerability is critical in web applications and themes because it can lead to privilege escalation, data leakage, or unauthorized administrative actions, undermining the security posture of WordPress sites using the Fiorello theme.

For European organizations, especially those relying on WordPress websites with the Mikado-Themes Fiorello theme, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information and potential unauthorized modifications to website content or configurations. This can lead to data breaches, defacement, or further exploitation such as planting malware or phishing content. The impact is particularly significant for sectors like e-commerce, media, and government websites where confidentiality and integrity of data are paramount. Since the vulnerability requires some level of privileges, insider threats or compromised low-privilege accounts can be leveraged to escalate access. The absence of availability impact reduces the risk of denial-of-service but does not diminish the threat to data security. European organizations may face reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is exposed, and operational disruptions due to remediation efforts. The medium severity score suggests a moderate but actionable risk that should be addressed promptly to prevent exploitation.

1. Immediately review and tighten access control configurations within the Fiorello theme settings and WordPress user roles to minimize privilege exposure. 2. Restrict the ability to manipulate keys or parameters that control authorization logic, ensuring they cannot be user-controlled or are properly validated server-side. 3. Monitor logs and audit trails for unusual privilege escalation attempts or unauthorized access patterns related to the theme’s functionalities. 4. Apply principle of least privilege to all WordPress accounts, especially those with editing or administrative capabilities. 5. Stay alert for official patches or updates from Mikado-Themes and apply them promptly once available. 6. Consider temporarily disabling or replacing the Fiorello theme if immediate patching is not possible, especially on high-risk or public-facing sites. 7. Conduct security testing and code review of customizations related to the theme to identify and remediate similar access control weaknesses. 8. Educate site administrators about the risks of authorization bypass and the importance of secure configuration management. 9. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting authorization mechanisms in the theme. 10. Regularly backup website data and configurations to enable quick recovery in case of compromise.