CVE-2025-23914 in Muzaara Google Ads Report Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/22/2025
Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in NotFound Muzaara Google Ads Report allows Object Injection. This issue affects Muzaara Google Ads Report: from n/a through 3.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/22/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2025-23914 represents a critical deserialization flaw in the Muzaara Google Ads Report plugin, specifically targeting the NotFound Muzaara Google Ads Report component. This issue falls under the CWE-502 category, which encompasses deserialization of untrusted data vulnerabilities that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data that is subsequently deserialized without proper validation or sanitization. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious serialized objects that, when processed by the vulnerable plugin, trigger unintended behavior. The affected version range spans from an unspecified beginning through version 3.1, indicating that all versions within this spectrum are potentially compromised.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper input validation mechanisms during the deserialization process. When the plugin receives serialized data from external sources or user interactions, it does not adequately verify the integrity or origin of the serialized object before attempting to deserialize it. This lack of validation creates an attack surface where malicious actors can inject specially crafted serialized objects designed to execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through various vectors including user input fields, API endpoints, or even file uploads that are processed by the plugin. The deserialization process typically involves converting serialized data back into object instances, and when this process is not properly secured, it can lead to object injection attacks that bypass traditional security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-23914 extends beyond simple data corruption or service disruption, as it can enable full system compromise and persistent access for attackers. Successful exploitation allows threat actors to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system with the privileges of the web application, potentially leading to complete server takeover. This vulnerability can be leveraged to establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malicious payloads. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the plugin is designed for Google Ads reporting, which often handles sensitive advertising data and financial information. The vulnerability's presence in versions through 3.1 means that a significant number of installations could be at risk, especially considering that many WordPress sites continue to run outdated plugin versions. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to automated exploitation tools that scan for known vulnerable components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-23914 should prioritize immediate version updates to the latest available release where the vulnerability has been patched. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures to prevent untrusted data from being processed through deserialization functions. The implementation of secure coding practices, including the use of allowlists for acceptable data formats and the avoidance of dangerous deserialization methods, is essential for preventing similar issues. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious deserialization patterns. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify other potential deserialization vulnerabilities within the application stack. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that web applications run with minimal necessary permissions to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting the multi-stage nature of attacks that can leverage such deserialization flaws.