CVE-2024-7561 in Next Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/08/2024
The The Next theme for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in all versions up to, and including, 1.1.0 via deserialization of untrusted input from the wpeden_post_meta post meta value. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to inject a PHP Object. No known POP chain is present in the vulnerable software. 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 • 08/08/2024
The Next WordPress theme presents a critical security vulnerability classified as PHP Object Injection affecting versions through 1.1.0. This flaw stems from improper handling of user-supplied data during the deserialization process within the wpeden_post_meta post meta value parameter. The vulnerability specifically targets authenticated users with Contributor-level access or higher, making it particularly concerning for WordPress environments where multiple user roles exist. The attack vector exploits the theme's failure to validate and sanitize input before processing PHP objects, creating a pathway for malicious code execution through object manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to inject arbitrary PHP objects into the application's memory space through the post meta value field. When the theme processes this data during deserialization, it executes the malicious object's methods without proper validation or sanitization. This creates a dangerous condition where attackers can manipulate the application's behavior by injecting crafted PHP objects that may contain malicious code execution instructions. The vulnerability operates at the core of PHP's serialization mechanism, where untrusted input is converted back into PHP objects, bypassing normal security controls.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk for WordPress installations using The Next theme. Even without a known POP chain within the vulnerable software itself, the presence of such chains in additional plugins or themes on the same system could escalate the attack to full system compromise. Attackers with Contributor-level access can leverage this vulnerability to perform unauthorized actions including arbitrary file deletion, data exfiltration, and code execution capabilities. The attack requires minimal privileges compared to other exploitation methods, making it particularly attractive to threat actors targeting WordPress environments.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-502 which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data as a source of injection attacks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting the potential for both remote code execution and privilege escalation. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through theme updates or implementing input validation controls to prevent deserialization of untrusted data. The absence of a known POP chain does not mitigate the risk, as attackers may discover or construct such chains through additional vulnerabilities in the broader WordPress ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies include updating to patched versions of The Next theme, implementing strict input validation for all user-supplied data, and employing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious deserialization patterns. Security configurations should enforce proper sanitization of post meta values and restrict object deserialization to trusted sources only. Additionally, regular security audits of installed plugins and themes are essential to identify potential chain reactions that could amplify the impact of this vulnerability across the entire WordPress installation.