CVE-2024-56283 in Locatoraid Store Locator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/07/2025
Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in plainware.com Locatoraid Store Locator allows Object Injection.This issue affects Locatoraid Store Locator: from n/a through 3.9.50.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2025
The CVE-2024-56283 vulnerability represents a critical deserialization flaw in the Locatoraid Store Locator plugin for WordPress, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through 3.9.50. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-502 category, which encompasses deserialization of untrusted data, a well-documented weakness that has been exploited in numerous high-profile security incidents. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious objects during the deserialization process, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or complete system compromise. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data that is subsequently deserialized without proper validation or sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate input data before attempting to deserialize it. When users interact with the store locator functionality, particularly through forms or API endpoints that accept serialized data, the system processes this information without adequate security checks. This creates an attack surface where malicious actors can craft specially crafted serialized objects that, when processed by the vulnerable plugin, execute unintended code on the target server. The issue is particularly dangerous because it operates at the core of object serialization mechanisms, which are commonly used to transfer data between different parts of an application or between different systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-56283 extends beyond simple data corruption or service disruption, potentially enabling full system compromise through remote code execution. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to affected WordPress installations, potentially leading to data breaches, website defacement, or the installation of backdoors. The vulnerability affects the entire WordPress ecosystem where the plugin is installed, making it particularly attractive to automated attack tools that scan for known vulnerabilities. Organizations running vulnerable versions face significant risk of exploitation, especially since the plugin appears to be widely deployed across various WordPress installations, creating a substantial attack surface for threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from affected organizations, including updating to the latest version of the Locatoraid Store Locator plugin where the issue has been resolved. System administrators should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious deserialization attempts. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting the permissions of WordPress installations and implementing proper input validation at all entry points. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security audits of their WordPress installations to identify other potential vulnerabilities related to deserialization or object injection, as this type of weakness often indicates broader security gaps in application architecture. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services, and represents a classic example of how insecure deserialization can lead to complete system compromise.