CVE-2023-46147 in Ultra Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/20/2023
Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in Themify Themify Ultra.This issue affects Themify Ultra: from n/a through 7.3.5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2024
The CVE-2023-46147 vulnerability represents a critical deserialization of untrusted data flaw within the Themify Ultra WordPress theme, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified initial version through 7.3.5. This vulnerability resides in the theme's handling of serialized data structures that are typically used for storing and transmitting complex data objects between different parts of a web application. The flaw occurs when the theme processes user-supplied or externally provided data without adequate validation or sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject harmful serialized objects that can be executed during the deserialization process.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data as a critical security weakness. In the context of WordPress themes, this issue typically manifests when the theme's code accepts serialized data from HTTP parameters, POST requests, or other external sources and directly passes it to PHP's unserialize() function without proper security checks. Attackers can craft malicious serialized objects that, when processed by the vulnerable theme, execute arbitrary code on the target server. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can enable remote code execution, allowing attackers to gain full control over the affected WordPress installation and potentially compromise the entire web server.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-46147 extends beyond simple data corruption or unauthorized access, as it can lead to complete system compromise and persistent backdoor access. When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server, potentially leading to data breaches, website defacement, or the establishment of command and control infrastructure. The vulnerability affects WordPress sites using the Themify Ultra theme, making it a widespread concern for thousands of websites that have not yet updated to patched versions. The attack surface is particularly broad since serialized data can be passed through various entry points including theme options, customizer settings, or even user-generated content fields that the theme processes.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically mapping it to techniques involving code injection and remote code execution. The vulnerability can be exploited through multiple attack paths including web application attacks, privilege escalation, and persistence mechanisms. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of the Themify Ultra theme, which contains patches addressing the deserialization flaw. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, monitoring for suspicious serialized data patterns, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed themes and plugins. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application development, where all user-supplied data should be treated as potentially malicious and properly sanitized before processing.