CVE-2024-3020 in Carousel, Slider, Gallery by WP Carousel Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/10/2024
The plugin is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in versions up to and including, 2.6.3 via deserialization of untrusted input in the import function via the 'shortcode' parameter. This allows authenticated attackers, with administrator-level access to inject a PHP Object. If a POP chain is present via an additional plugin or theme installed on the target system, it could allow the attacker to delete arbitrary files, retrieve sensitive data, or execute code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-3020 represents a critical PHP Object Injection flaw within a WordPress plugin affecting versions up to and including 2.6.3. This security weakness resides in the plugin's import functionality where untrusted input from the 'shortcode' parameter undergoes deserialization without proper validation or sanitization. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-502 which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data, making it particularly dangerous in web application contexts where user input can be manipulated to execute malicious code.
Attackers exploiting this vulnerability require administrator-level access to the target WordPress system, which significantly reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the severity of the flaw. The authenticated nature of the attack means that an attacker must first compromise administrative credentials or gain access through other means such as social engineering or exploiting additional vulnerabilities in the WordPress environment. Once administrative privileges are obtained, the attacker can leverage the PHP Object Injection to manipulate the plugin's import function and inject malicious serialized objects that can be executed within the context of the web server process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities, as it can enable attackers to perform arbitrary file operations including deletion of critical system files, data exfiltration, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the compromised WordPress installation. The presence of a POP (Property-Oriented Programming) chain within the target system significantly amplifies the attack potential, as attackers can chain multiple malicious objects together to create more sophisticated exploitation payloads. This chaining capability allows for complex attack vectors that can bypass traditional security measures and potentially escalate privileges beyond the initial administrative access.
The attack vector specifically targets the import function's handling of the 'shortcode' parameter, making it essential for system administrators to monitor and restrict access to plugin import functionalities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper sanitization of user-supplied data, particularly in functions that process serialized objects. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for PHP and T1078.004 for Valid Accounts, highlighting how authenticated access combined with code execution capabilities can enable comprehensive system compromise.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the vulnerable plugin to version 2.6.4 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to prevent unauthorized deserialization of potentially malicious input. Additionally, administrators should implement strict access controls limiting who can access plugin import functions and consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious serialized object patterns. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that only necessary users have administrative access to WordPress systems, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify potential POP chain vulnerabilities in installed themes and plugins that could compound the risk of exploitation.