# CVE-2026-65436: Themeum Kirki arbitrary file deletion in Editor component

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-65436-themeum-kirki-arbitrary-file-deletion-in-editor-component  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-27. Updated: 2026-07-27  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-65436 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.8 · Published 2026-07-27

Kirki is a popular WordPress framework used by developers to create rich customization options for themes. A security flaw in this plugin allows users with 'Editor' level permissions to delete arbitrary files from the web server. This could lead to a complete website failure or service outage if critical system files are removed.

Technologies: [Themeum Kirki](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/kirki). Vendors: [Themeum](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/themeum).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-65436 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-65436 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-65436?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.8, published 27 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Themeum Kirki <= 6.0.13.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-65436?** A patch was published on 2026-07-27: Fixed in version 6.0.14 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-65436 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-65436?** Check whether you run Themeum Kirki at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The Kirki plugin for WordPress (versions 6.0.13 and below) is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to a path traversal flaw (CWE-22). The vulnerability exists because the application does not properly validate user-supplied input when handling file paths in the editor component. An attacker with Editor-level privileges (PR:H) can exploit this over the network without user interaction to delete files outside of the intended directory. This can lead to a denial-of-service condition by deleting core WordPress files or configuration data. The issue is addressed in version 6.0.14.

## Affected products

- Themeum Kirki <= 6.0.13

## Timeline

- 2026-06-23: other: Reported by researcher Ananda Dhakal
- 2026-07-27: disclosed: Vulnerability published by Patchstack
- 2026-07-27: patched: Fixed in version 6.0.14

## References

- [https://wordpress.org/plugins](https://wordpress.org/plugins)
- [https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/kirki/vulnerability/wordpress-kirki-plugin-6-0-13-arbitrary-file-deletion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve](https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/kirki/vulnerability/wordpress-kirki-plugin-6-0-13-arbitrary-file-deletion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve)

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