Unauthenticated site takeover via bundled PHP backdoor
Published Aug 31, 2026 · Updated Sep 1, 2026
Backdoor code in Silk Themes Newspapers X 1.0.46 through 1.0.48 allows remote attackers to take control of WordPress sites. The bundled more-functions.php code deploys a file-manager webshell, creates a rogue administrator, activates an unwanted plugin through a direct option write, and exfiltrates the administrator password to a command-and-control service. No authentication or user interaction is required, and successful access exposes site content, configuration, credentials, and code execution.
Summary
What happened
Backdoor code in Silk Themes Newspapers X 1.0.46 through 1.0.48 allows remote attackers to take control of WordPress sites. The bundled more-functions.php code deploys a file-manager webshell, creates a rogue administrator, activates an unwanted plugin through a direct option write, and exfiltrates the administrator password to a command-and-control service. No authentication or user interaction is required, and successful access exposes site content, configuration, credentials, and code execution.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-81779
- Published
- Aug 31, 2026
- Updated
- Sep 1, 2026
- Vendor
- Silk Themes
- Product
- Newspapers X
- Classifications
- CWE-1284, T1505.003
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 31, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Sep 1, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=1.0.46 <=1.0.48 changes=[{"at":"1.0.49","status":"unaffected"}]
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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