CVE-2025-49072 in Mr. Murphy Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/06/2025
Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in AncoraThemes Mr. Murphy allows Object Injection.This issue affects Mr. Murphy: from n/a before 1.2.12.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-49072 represents a critical deserialization flaw in the AncoraThemes Mr. Murphy WordPress theme, specifically impacting versions prior to 1.2.12.1. This issue falls under the category of deserialization of untrusted data, a well-documented security weakness that has been classified under CWE-502 by the Common Weakness Enumeration project. The vulnerability manifests when the theme processes user-supplied data through PHP's unserialize() function without proper validation or sanitization, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can inject arbitrary objects into the application's execution context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the theme's object handling mechanisms where serialized data from external sources is directly deserialized without adequate security controls. When an attacker can manipulate the serialized input, they can construct malicious objects that, upon deserialization, execute arbitrary code or manipulate the application's behavior. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to achieve remote code execution, privilege escalation, or data manipulation depending on the application's context and permissions. The attack vector typically involves sending crafted serialized data through HTTP parameters or file uploads that are subsequently processed by the vulnerable theme component.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-49072 extends beyond simple data corruption or denial of service scenarios. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can potentially achieve complete system compromise through remote code execution, allowing them to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish persistent access to affected WordPress installations. The vulnerability affects all versions of the Mr. Murphy theme prior to 1.2.12.1, making it a widespread concern for WordPress administrators who have not yet updated their installations. This type of vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries exploit vulnerabilities to execute code on target systems. The risk is amplified in environments where WordPress sites are publicly accessible and lack proper input validation controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-49072 primarily focus on immediate remediation through version updates to 1.2.12.1 or later, which contain the necessary patches to prevent unauthorized object deserialization. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive input validation measures, including sanitizing all user-supplied data before processing, implementing proper content security policies, and monitoring for suspicious deserialization patterns. Security hardening practices such as disabling unnecessary PHP functions, implementing Web Application Firewalls, and conducting regular security audits can further reduce the risk exposure. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and maintaining regular backups to ensure rapid recovery from potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping third-party WordPress themes and plugins updated, as these components often represent significant attack surfaces when outdated or improperly secured.