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CVE-2026-15336 catchplugins CVE debrief

The Catch Themes Demo Import plugin for WordPress has a missing authorization vulnerability in versions up to and including 3.3. This is due to the catch_themes_demo_import_activate_plugin() function, hooked on admin_init when the activate_plugin GET parameter is present, calling Plugin_Upgrader::install() to download and install a plugin from WordPress.org before performing the current_user_can('activate_plugins') capability check. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level access and above, to install the hardcoded 'essential-content-types' plugin from WordPress.

Vendor
catchplugins
Product
Catch Themes Demo Import
CVSS
MEDIUM 4.3
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-07-16
Original CVE updated
2026-07-17
Advisory published
2026-07-16
Advisory updated
2026-07-17

Who should care

Authenticated attackers with subscriber-level access and above can exploit this vulnerability to install the hardcoded 'essential-content-types' plugin from WordPress. This could potentially allow them to execute arbitrary code or take control of the affected system.

Technical summary

The vulnerability exists in the catch_themes_demo_import_activate_plugin() function, which is hooked on admin_init when the activate_plugin GET parameter is present. The function calls Plugin_Upgrader::install() to download and install a plugin from WordPress.org before performing the current_user_can('activate_plugins') capability check. This allows authenticated attackers with subscriber-level access and above to install the hardcoded 'essential-content-types' plugin from WordPress.

Defensive priority

Medium

Recommended defensive actions

  • Verify and limit the 'activate_plugin' GET parameter usage.
  • Restrict plugin installation to authorized users.
  • Monitor for unauthorized plugin installations.
  • Implement additional logging and monitoring for admin_init hooks.
  • Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified.
  • Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review.
  • Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented.

Evidence notes

The vulnerability was reported by [email protected]. The CVE record was published on 2026-07-16T04:17:22.073Z and has not been modified since then. The Catch Themes Demo Import plugin for WordPress has a missing authorization vulnerability in versions up to and including 3.3. This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with subscriber-level access and above to install the hardcoded 'essential-content-types' plugin from WordPress. The vulnerability exists due to the catch_themes_demo_import_activate_plugin() function, which is hooked on admin_init when the activate_plugin GET parameter is present, calling Plugin_Upgrader::install() to download and install a plugin from WordPress.org before performing the current_user_can('activate_plugins') capability check.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-15336 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-15336

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-15336 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-15336

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.