CVE-2026-22404 identifies an authorization bypass vulnerability in Mikado-Themes Innovio, a WordPress theme product, affecting versions up to and including 1.7. The vulnerability arises from improperly configured access control security levels that allow an attacker to manipulate a user-controlled key to bypass authorization checks. This means that an attacker with some level of authenticated access (low privileges) can escalate their permissions or access resources that should be restricted. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network without requiring user interaction, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.4, reflecting a medium severity level, with the vector indicating network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and low impact on confidentiality and integrity (C:L/I:L) but no impact on availability (A:N). No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet, suggesting that mitigation relies on configuration reviews and possibly vendor updates once available. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Innovio theme, which is used in WordPress environments, potentially exposing websites to unauthorized data access or modification if exploited.

For European organizations, the primary impact of this vulnerability lies in the potential unauthorized access to sensitive information and unauthorized modification of data within websites using the Innovio theme. This could lead to data breaches, defacement, or unauthorized administrative actions on affected web properties. Given the medium severity and the requirement for some privileges, the risk is higher in environments where multiple users have limited but authenticated access, such as multi-author WordPress sites or agencies managing client sites. Confidentiality and integrity are at risk, but availability is not directly impacted. Exploitation could undermine trust in affected websites, cause reputational damage, and potentially lead to regulatory compliance issues under GDPR if personal data is exposed. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability becomes widely known.

Organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify usage of the Mikado-Themes Innovio theme, particularly versions up to 1.7. Until an official patch is released, administrators should review and tighten access control configurations within the theme and WordPress user roles to minimize privilege escalation opportunities. Implementing the principle of least privilege for all users is critical. Monitoring web server and application logs for unusual access patterns or privilege escalations can help detect exploitation attempts. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to block suspicious requests targeting the authorization mechanisms of Innovio. Regularly check for vendor updates or patches addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. Additionally, educating site administrators about the risks of granting excessive privileges and maintaining strong authentication controls will reduce exploitation likelihood.