CVE-2024-13645 in TagDiv Composer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/04/2025
The tagDiv Composer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Instantiation in all versions up to, and including, 5.3 via module parameter. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to Instantiate a PHP Object. No known POP chain is present in the vulnerable software, which means this vulnerability has no impact unless another plugin or theme containing a POP chain is installed on the site. If a POP chain is present via an additional plugin or theme installed on the target system, it may allow the attacker to perform actions like delete arbitrary files, retrieve sensitive data, or execute code depending on the POP chain present.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2025
The tagDiv Composer plugin for WordPress presents a significant security vulnerability classified as CVE-2024-13645, affecting all versions up to and including 5.3. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of the module parameter which allows for PHP Object Instantiation without authentication. The flaw resides in the plugin's parameter validation mechanism where user-supplied input is directly processed to instantiate PHP objects, creating an avenue for unauthorized object manipulation. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-502 which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data, making it a critical concern for WordPress environments where plugins often handle user input directly.
The technical nature of this vulnerability enables attackers to instantiate PHP objects through the module parameter, which represents a fundamental flaw in input sanitization and object handling within the plugin's codebase. The absence of a known POP (Property-Oriented Programming) chain within the vulnerable software itself means that the immediate impact is limited to object instantiation capabilities alone. However, this vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when combined with other plugins or themes that may contain POP chains, creating a potential exploitation pathway for remote code execution. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, specifically targeting web application vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-13645 extends beyond simple object instantiation as it creates a potential attack surface that could be leveraged for more severe consequences when combined with other vulnerable components. Attackers could potentially delete arbitrary files from the server, extract sensitive data, or execute arbitrary code depending on the specific POP chain present in the target environment. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for WordPress installations that utilize multiple plugins or themes, as the attack surface expands significantly. The lack of authentication requirements means that any visitor to the website could potentially exploit this vulnerability, making it a high-risk issue for public-facing WordPress sites.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-13645 should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the PHP object instantiation flaw, as well as implementing additional security measures such as input validation at the web application firewall level and monitoring for unauthorized object instantiation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough security audits of all installed plugins and themes to identify potential POP chains that could be exploited in combination with this vulnerability. The vulnerability's nature suggests that implementing proper object serialization and deserialization controls, along with input sanitization measures, would provide effective protection against exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect similar issues in other components of the WordPress ecosystem, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper parameter handling in web applications.