CVE-2024-54282 in WP Mega Menu Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/13/2024
Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in Themeum WP Mega Menu allows Object Injection.This issue affects WP Mega Menu: from n/a through 1.4.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-54282 represents a critical deserialization flaw in the Themeum WP Mega Menu plugin for WordPress systems. This issue falls under the category of deserialization of untrusted data, which is classified as CWE-502 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the WP Mega Menu plugin ranging from an unspecified initial version through 1.4.2, creating a substantial attack surface for malicious actors targeting WordPress installations.
The technical flaw stems from the plugin's improper handling of serialized data structures during the processing of user inputs or configuration parameters. When the plugin deserializes data without adequate validation or sanitization, it creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious objects that can be executed within the context of the WordPress application. This object injection vulnerability allows adversaries to manipulate the serialized data stream to include malicious payloads that can be triggered during the deserialization process, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or other harmful outcomes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or service disruption. Attackers exploiting this weakness could gain unauthorized access to the affected WordPress systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used menu plugin means that numerous websites could be at risk, particularly those that do not maintain up-to-date security patches. This represents a significant concern for organizations relying on WordPress for their web presence, as the exploitation could result in data breaches, website defacement, or the installation of malware.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, T1566 for phishing, and T1071.001 for application layer protocol. The threat landscape for such vulnerabilities is particularly concerning as they often remain undetected for extended periods, allowing attackers to establish persistent access within compromised environments. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual deserialization activities, as well as establishing robust patch management processes to address such vulnerabilities promptly.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 1.4.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Additionally, implementing input validation measures and restricting file permissions for WordPress directories can reduce the attack surface. Security professionals should also consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious deserialization attempts, while maintaining comprehensive logging and monitoring capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other plugins or components of the WordPress ecosystem.