CVE-2024-38759 in Search & Replace Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2024
Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in WP MEDIA SAS Search & Replace.This issue affects Search & Replace: from n/a through 3.2.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2024-38759 represents a critical deserialization of untrusted data flaw within the WP MEDIA SAS Search & Replace plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from n/a through 3.2.2. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-502 category, which specifically addresses the deserialization of untrusted data, making it a significant security concern for WordPress environments. The flaw occurs when the plugin processes user-provided data without proper validation or sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted serialized objects. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can lead to arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, or complete system compromise when exploited by attackers with sufficient access rights.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate input during the deserialization process, which is a common pattern in PHP applications where objects are reconstructed from serialized string representations. When an attacker can manipulate the serialized data sent to the plugin, they can inject malicious objects that execute arbitrary code upon deserialization. This particular flaw demonstrates a lack of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure coding standards. The vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services, as it enables attackers to leverage the plugin's functionality to gain unauthorized access to the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-38759 extends beyond simple data corruption or access issues, as it provides attackers with potential paths to achieve persistent access and execute commands on the affected WordPress installation. This vulnerability could allow an attacker to modify, delete, or steal sensitive data from the WordPress database, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The affected versions indicate that this flaw has existed for an extended period, leaving numerous installations vulnerable to exploitation without proper patching or mitigation measures. Organizations running affected versions of the WP MEDIA SAS Search & Replace plugin face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches, particularly in environments where WordPress is used for critical business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-38759 require immediate action from system administrators to upgrade to the latest version of the plugin where the vulnerability has been addressed. The recommended approach includes implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures, particularly for any data that undergoes deserialization processes. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected plugin across their infrastructure and implement monitoring solutions to detect suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include regular security updates and patch management procedures to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future, aligning with industry best practices for maintaining secure software environments.