CVE-2024-8016 in Events Calendar Pro Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/30/2024
The Events Calendar Pro plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in all versions up to, and including, 7.0.2 via deserialization of untrusted input from the 'filters' parameter in widgets. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrator-level access and above, to inject a PHP Object. The additional presence of a POP chain allows attackers to execute code remotely. In certain configurations, this can be exploitable by lower level users. We confirmed that this plugin installed with Elementor makes it possible for users with contributor-level access and above to exploit this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2024
The CVE-2024-8016 vulnerability represents a critical PHP Object Injection flaw within the Events Calendar Pro plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 7.0.2. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of untrusted input through the 'filters' parameter within widgets, creating a dangerous attack vector that can be exploited by authenticated users with administrator privileges or higher. The flaw stems from improper validation and sanitization of user-supplied data during the deserialization process, which is a well-documented weakness that falls under CWE-502, specifically addressing the deserialization of untrusted data. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is significantly amplified by the presence of a POP (Property Object Pollution) chain, which enables attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin processes widget parameters containing serialized PHP objects without adequate input validation. When an authenticated attacker with administrator-level access submits malicious data through the 'filters' parameter, the plugin's deserialization mechanism processes this input directly, allowing the attacker to inject arbitrary PHP objects. This injection can be leveraged to manipulate the application's object state and potentially execute malicious code. The POP chain aspect of this vulnerability allows for more sophisticated exploitation techniques where attackers can chain multiple object manipulations to achieve remote code execution. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond typical administrator privileges, as confirmed in specific configurations involving Elementor integration, where users with contributor-level access and above can exploit this weakness.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-8016 is severe and far-reaching for WordPress installations utilizing the affected Events Calendar Pro plugin. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain complete control over affected websites, potentially leading to data breaches, website defacement, or the installation of additional malware. The remote code execution capability allows attackers to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive information, or use compromised systems for further attacks. The vulnerability's accessibility through contributor-level accounts in Elementor-integrated environments creates a particularly concerning threat landscape where less privileged users can potentially compromise entire websites. Organizations using this plugin without proper patching or mitigation measures face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-8016 should prioritize immediate patching of the Events Calendar Pro plugin to version 7.0.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. System administrators should also implement additional defensive measures including monitoring for unusual widget parameter usage, restricting administrative privileges to essential personnel only, and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious deserialization attempts. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-502 and its exploitation patterns align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, making it essential for security teams to monitor for signs of code execution and object manipulation within their WordPress environments. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security audits of installed plugins to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.