CVE-2024-9664 in WP All Import Pro Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/07/2025
The WP All Import Pro plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in all versions up to, and including, 4.9.7 via deserialization of untrusted input from an import file. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Administrator-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 • 02/07/2025
The WP All Import Pro plugin represents a significant security risk within the WordPress ecosystem due to its vulnerability to PHP Object Injection attacks. This flaw exists in all versions up to and including 4.9.7, making it a widespread concern for WordPress administrators who rely on this popular import solution. The vulnerability specifically arises from the plugin's improper handling of untrusted input during the import process, where user-supplied data undergoes deserialization without adequate validation or sanitization. Attackers with administrative privileges can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious import files that contain serialized PHP objects, which are then deserialized by the plugin's code execution flow. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-502 category, which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data as a critical security flaw that can lead to remote code execution and system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it creates a potential pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. While the vulnerability itself does not contain a pre-existing POP (Points of No Return) chain within the WP All Import Pro plugin, the absence of such a chain does not diminish the severity of the threat. Instead, it creates a dangerous scenario where attackers can leverage the object injection to manipulate the application's behavior, potentially enabling them to delete arbitrary files from the server, extract sensitive data from the database, or even establish persistent backdoors. The fact that this vulnerability requires only administrator-level access makes it particularly concerning, as it means that attackers who have already compromised administrative accounts can use this flaw to amplify their attack capabilities and potentially move laterally within the compromised environment. The attack vector specifically targets the import functionality, which is commonly used by administrators for legitimate purposes, making the attack more subtle and harder to detect.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to the latest version of WP All Import Pro, which should contain patches addressing the PHP Object Injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement strict input validation and sanitization measures for all import operations, ensuring that any user-provided data undergoes thorough verification before processing. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation by restricting administrative access to critical systems. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual import activities and file system modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing the principle of least privilege and regular security audits can help prevent unauthorized access to administrative accounts that could be leveraged to exploit this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1546.001, which covers the abuse of Windows Registry run keys and startup folder, though the specific implementation in WordPress environments may require different detection approaches. Organizations should also consider implementing Web Application Firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious serialized object attempts during import processes.