📄 Description (English)
The Eleganzo theme for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary directory deletion due to insufficient path validation in the akd_required_plugin_callback function in all versions up to, and including, 1.2. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to delete arbitrary directories on the server, including the WordPress root directory.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
The Eleganzo WordPress theme contains a critical path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) allowing authenticated subscribers to delete arbitrary directories on affected servers. With no patch currently available and no exploit publicly disclosed, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to WordPress installations in Saudi Arabia, particularly those hosting sensitive business or government content. Immediate mitigation through theme disabling or access restriction is essential.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 11, 2026 01:03
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability primarily affects Saudi organizations using WordPress with the Eleganzo theme, including: government websites and portals (NCA oversight), banking and financial services websites (SAMA-regulated), e-commerce platforms, healthcare provider websites, and media/news organizations. The ability for low-privilege users (Subscribers) to delete arbitrary directories could lead to complete website destruction, data loss, and service disruption. Organizations in the Kingdom relying on WordPress for critical services face operational continuity risks.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Government & Public Administration
Banking & Financial Services
Healthcare & Medical Services
E-commerce & Retail
Media & Publishing
Education
Telecommunications
Energy & Utilities
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
7.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all WordPress installations using Eleganzo theme (versions ≤1.2) across your organization
2. Disable the Eleganzo theme immediately and switch to an alternative theme
3. Review user access logs for any suspicious directory deletion activities
4. Restrict Subscriber-level user creation and audit existing subscriber accounts
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
5. Monitor the Eleganzo theme repository for security updates (currently no patch available)
6. Contact the theme developer for patch timeline and interim security guidance
7. Consider removing the theme entirely if no update is released within 30 days
COMPENSATING CONTROLS:
8. Implement file integrity monitoring (FIM) on WordPress root and critical directories
9. Restrict file system permissions: ensure WordPress process runs with minimal required privileges
10. Disable direct file editing in wp-config.php: define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);
11. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect path traversal patterns
12. Enable comprehensive audit logging for all file operations
DETECTION RULES:
13. Monitor for POST requests to akd_required_plugin_callback with path traversal patterns (../, ..\)
14. Alert on any directory deletion operations initiated by Subscriber-level users
15. Track failed and successful file system operations in WordPress error logs
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع تثبيتات WordPress التي تستخدم موضوع Eleganzo (الإصدارات ≤1.2) عبر مؤسستك
2. تعطيل موضوع Eleganzo فوراً والتبديل إلى موضوع بديل
3. مراجعة سجلات الوصول للبحث عن أي أنشطة حذف مجلدات مريبة
4. تقييد إنشاء حسابات المستخدمين من نوع Subscriber ومراجعة الحسابات الموجودة
إرشادات التصحيح:
5. مراقبة مستودع موضوع Eleganzo للتحديثات الأمنية (لا يوجد تصحيح متاح حالياً)
6. التواصل مع مطور الموضوع للحصول على جدول زمني للتصحيح والإرشادات الأمنية المؤقتة
7. النظر في إزالة الموضوع بالكامل إذا لم يتم إصداره خلال 30 يوماً
الضوابط البديلة:
8. تنفيذ مراقبة سلامة الملفات (FIM) على جذر WordPress والمجلدات الحرجة
9. تقييد أذونات نظام الملفات: تأكد من تشغيل عملية WordPress بأقل صلاحيات مطلوبة
10. تعطيل تحرير الملفات المباشر في wp-config.php: define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);
11. تنفيذ قواعد جدار حماية تطبيقات الويب (WAF) للكشف عن أنماط اجتياز المسارات
12. تفعيل تسجيل التدقيق الشامل لجميع عمليات الملفات
قواعد الكشف:
13. مراقبة طلبات POST إلى akd_required_plugin_callback بأنماط اجتياز المسارات (../, ..\)
14. تنبيه عند أي عمليات حذف مجلدات يبدأها مستخدمو Subscriber
15. تتبع عمليات نظام الملفات الفاشلة والناجحة في سجلات أخطاء WordPress
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.5.1.1 - Information Security Policies (access control policy violations)
A.6.1.2 - User Access Management (inadequate privilege separation)
A.8.2.1 - Asset Management (protection of organizational assets)
A.12.4.1 - Event Logging (detection and monitoring of unauthorized activities)
A.12.6.1 - Management of Technical Vulnerabilities (timely patching and updates)
🔵 SAMA CSF
Governance & Risk Management - Vulnerability Management
Information & Cybersecurity - Access Control
Information & Cybersecurity - Audit & Accountability
Resilience & Continuity - Business Continuity Management
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.5.1.1 - Policies for information security
A.6.1.2 - User registration and de-registration
A.8.1.1 - Inventory of assets
A.8.2.1 - Ownership of assets
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
Requirement 1.1 - Firewall configuration standards
Requirement 6.2 - Security patches and updates
Requirement 7.1 - Limit access to system components
Requirement 10.2 - Implement automated audit trails