CVE-2022-2437 in Feed Them Social Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/18/2022
The Feed Them Social – for Twitter feed, Youtube and more plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to deserialization of untrusted input via the 'fts_url' parameter in versions up to, and including 2.9.8.5. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to call files using a PHAR wrapper that will deserialize the data and call arbitrary PHP Objects that can be used to perform a variety of malicious actions granted a POP chain is also present. It also requires that the attacker is successful in uploading a file with the serialized payload.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2026
The Feed Them Social plugin for WordPress represents a popular solution for displaying social media content including twitter feeds and youtube videos on wordpress websites. This vulnerability affects versions up to and including 2985 where the plugin fails to properly validate and sanitize user input. The specific flaw exists in how the plugin processes the 'fts_url' parameter which is used to handle external URL references within the social feed functionality. This deserialization vulnerability stems from the plugin's improper handling of serialized data structures that are passed through user-controllable input fields. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-502 which specifically addresses the deserialization of untrusted data, making it a critical security risk that can lead to remote code execution when combined with other attack vectors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to construct a malicious serialized PHP object that can be triggered when the plugin processes the 'fts_url' parameter. When an attacker successfully uploads a file containing serialized data with a PHAR wrapper, the plugin's deserialization mechanism automatically processes this data without proper validation. This creates a dangerous execution path where arbitrary PHP objects can be instantiated and executed within the context of the web server. The attack chain becomes particularly dangerous when combined with a POP (Property-Oriented Programming) chain that can leverage the deserialized objects to perform arbitrary operations including code execution, file manipulation, or privilege escalation. The vulnerability essentially allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute malicious code on the target system without requiring valid credentials or administrative access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass a wide range of malicious activities that can compromise the entire WordPress installation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload backdoors, steal sensitive data, modify website content, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The requirement for successful file upload adds a layer of complexity to the attack but does not eliminate the severity of the vulnerability. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where multiple plugins or themes may be installed, as it could provide attackers with a foothold to escalate privileges or move laterally within the network. The vulnerability affects not just individual websites but potentially entire WordPress installations that rely on this plugin for social media integration, making it a significant risk for businesses and organizations that depend on wordpress for their digital presence.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the deserialization flaw. System administrators should also implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious serialized data from being processed by the application. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block malicious requests targeting this vulnerability. The implementation of least privilege principles and regular security audits can help reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also maintain current backups and incident response procedures to quickly address any compromise. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, particularly when handling user-supplied data that may contain serialized objects. The attack vector highlights the need for comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and code review processes to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.