CVE-2024-30229 in GiveWP Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2024
Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in StellarWP GiveWP give.This issue affects GiveWP: from n/a through <= 3.4.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2024-30229 represents a critical deserialization of untrusted data flaw within the StellarWP GiveWP plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through version 3.4.2. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-502 category, which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data, making it a significant concern for web application security. The flaw occurs when the plugin processes user-supplied data without proper validation or sanitization, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate serialized objects to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate input data during the deserialization process. When the GiveWP plugin handles serialized data structures, particularly those originating from user interactions or external sources, it does not adequately verify the integrity or authenticity of the serialized objects. This allows attackers to craft malicious serialized payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable plugin, can trigger unintended behavior including remote code execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through various attack vectors including administrative interfaces, form submissions, or API endpoints that accept serialized data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or service disruption, as it can lead to complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this deserialization flaw can potentially gain unauthorized access to the WordPress installation, execute arbitrary commands on the server, and escalate privileges to achieve full control over the affected system. This risk is amplified by the fact that GiveWP is a widely used donation plugin, meaning that exploitation could affect numerous websites and organizations relying on the platform. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would likely involve executing malicious code through the deserialization process.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-30229 must focus on immediate patching of the affected plugin versions, with the recommended approach being an upgrade to version 3.4.3 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures to prevent untrusted data from being processed through deserialization functions. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in data handling and serialization activities, particularly within WordPress plugin environments. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, while regular security audits and penetration testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack. The remediation process should also include reviewing and strengthening the overall security posture of the WordPress environment, ensuring that similar deserialization vulnerabilities are not present in other plugins or core components.