# CVE-2022-1538: Theme-Demo-Importer < 1.1.1 - Admin+ Arbitrary File Upload

> Admins can upload arbitrary files, including PHP, leading to code execution in Theme Demo Import WordPress plugin.

- **Severity:** High 7.2 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 16 Jan 2024
- **Updated:** 20 Jun 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-4vqv-h9wj-9855

## What is CVE-2022-1538?

CVE-2022-1538 is a high-severity vulnerability in Unknown Theme Demo Import, published on 16 Jan 2024. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Theme Demo Import WordPress plugin before 1.1.1 does not validate the imported file, allowing high-privilege users such as admin to upload arbitrary files (such as PHP) even when FILE_MODS and FILE_EDIT are disallowed.

Weakness: CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2022-1538?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Themely Theme Demo Import.

## How do I fix CVE-2022-1538?

No fix has been published for CVE-2022-1538 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2022-1538 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2022-1538 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Unknown Theme Demo Import

- [CVE-2023-28170](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-28170/): WordPress Theme Demo Import Plugin <= 1.1.1 is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Upload (critical 9.1)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2022-1538 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2022-1538 is a high-severity vulnerability in Unknown Theme Demo Import, published on 16 Jan 2024. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2022-1538 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Unknown Theme Demo Import. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-1538/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-1538/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2022-1538
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-1538
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2022-1538

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-1538/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.