CVE-2026-22489 identifies an authorization bypass vulnerability classified under CWE-639 (Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key) in the Wptexture Image Slider Slideshow WordPress plugin, affecting versions up to 1.8. This vulnerability stems from improperly configured access control mechanisms that allow an attacker with limited privileges (PR:L) to manipulate a user-controlled key parameter to bypass authorization checks. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requiring no user interaction (UI:N), and the scope remains unchanged (S:U). The vulnerability impacts the integrity of the system (I:L) but does not affect confidentiality or availability. Essentially, an attacker who has some level of access to the WordPress environment can exploit this flaw to perform unauthorized actions within the plugin, such as modifying or injecting slider content, which could lead to defacement or misinformation on affected websites. Although no public exploits have been reported yet and no patches are currently available, the vulnerability's presence in a widely used plugin poses a risk, especially for websites relying on this plugin for critical visual content. The lack of a patch necessitates immediate mitigation through access restrictions and monitoring until an official fix is released.

For European organizations, the primary impact of this vulnerability lies in the potential unauthorized modification of website content managed by the Image Slider Slideshow plugin. This can undermine the integrity of corporate websites, e-commerce platforms, and media outlets, leading to reputational damage and loss of user trust. While confidentiality and availability are not directly impacted, the integrity breach could facilitate further social engineering or phishing attacks by displaying misleading or malicious content. Organizations in sectors such as retail, media, and public services that rely heavily on WordPress for their web presence are particularly at risk. Additionally, regulatory compliance frameworks like GDPR emphasize data integrity and security, so exploitation could lead to compliance issues if it results in misinformation or unauthorized content changes. The medium severity rating suggests that while the threat is not critical, it should not be ignored, especially in environments where the plugin is widely deployed and where attackers could leverage this flaw as a foothold for further attacks.

1. Immediately restrict access to the WordPress administrative interface and the plugin settings to trusted users only, minimizing the number of users with privileges that could exploit this vulnerability. 2. Implement strict role-based access controls (RBAC) to ensure users have only the necessary permissions, reducing the risk of privilege misuse. 3. Monitor web server and WordPress logs for unusual activity related to the Image Slider Slideshow plugin, such as unexpected parameter values or unauthorized modification attempts. 4. Use Web Application Firewalls (WAF) to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the plugin, especially those manipulating user-controlled keys. 5. Regularly back up website content and configurations to enable quick restoration in case of compromise. 6. Stay informed about updates from the plugin vendor or security advisories and apply patches promptly once available. 7. Consider temporarily disabling the plugin if it is not critical to operations until a patch is released. 8. Conduct security awareness training for administrators and content managers about the risks of privilege misuse and the importance of secure plugin management.