CVE-2026-102392 in Extra Product Options Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2026
Shop manager PHP Object Injection in Extra Product Options For WooCommerce | Custom Product Addons and Fields <= 3.3.8 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2026
The vulnerability identified as a PHP Object Injection flaw within the Shop Manager functionality of the WordPress plugin Extra Product Options for WooCommerce, specifically affecting versions up to 3.3.8, represents a critical security risk that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target server. This type of vulnerability arises from the improper handling of user-supplied input during the deserialization process, where untrusted data is passed directly into functions such as unserialize without adequate validation or sanitization. In the context of WordPress plugins, this often occurs when options or configuration settings stored in the database are retrieved and processed by the application logic to render product fields on the frontend or manage backend configurations. If an attacker can manipulate these input parameters through authenticated endpoints accessible to shop managers or via crafted requests that bypass authentication checks due to improper access control verification, they can inject serialized PHP objects into the system.
The technical mechanism behind this exploitation relies on the ability of attackers to craft malicious serialized payloads containing gadget chains—sequences of existing classes and methods within the WordPress core, WooCommerce plugin, or other installed plugins—that perform dangerous operations when unserialized. These gadgets might include functions that write files to the disk, execute shell commands via system calls, or interact with database queries in ways that lead to remote code execution. Because PHP object injection allows for the instantiation of arbitrary objects and invocation of their methods, it effectively grants the attacker a high degree of control over the application environment. The Shop Manager role typically possesses elevated privileges within WordPress, meaning that if this vulnerability can be triggered by someone with such access or if authentication checks are bypassed entirely through parameter manipulation in API calls or form submissions, the impact is severe and immediate.
From an operational perspective, successful exploitation of this PHP Object Injection flaw enables remote code execution on the web server hosting the WooCommerce store. This compromises not only the integrity of the e-commerce platform but also potentially leads to a full system compromise if the web server process runs with sufficient privileges or if lateral movement is possible within the network infrastructure. Attackers can use this access to steal sensitive customer data, including payment information and personal details stored in the WordPress database, deface the website by modifying theme files or content entries, install backdoors for persistent access, or utilize the compromised server as a pivot point for further attacks against internal networks. The presence of such vulnerabilities significantly undermines trust with customers and can result in substantial financial losses due to fraud, regulatory penalties under data protection laws like GDPR or CCPA, and reputational damage that is difficult to reverse.
This vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-502, which describes Deserialization of Untrusted Data, a category of weaknesses where applications fail to validate the integrity of serialized objects before processing them. It also maps to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to Command and Scripting Interpreter execution via application layer protocols or file system interactions, specifically T1059 if script commands are executed through gadget chains that invoke shell functions. The root cause typically involves a lack of strict type checking, absence of allowlists for expected object types, or failure to use secure serialization practices such as signing payloads with cryptographic keys to ensure authenticity and integrity before deserialization occurs in the application logic handling product options.
To mitigate this vulnerability, immediate action is required by upgrading the Extra Product Options plugin to version 3.3.9 or later, where the developers have presumably implemented fixes for input validation and secure serialization practices. Administrators should also review server-side configurations to ensure that PHP error reporting does not expose stack traces containing sensitive path information during exploitation attempts, although this is a secondary defense measure. Implementing Web Application Firewalls with rules capable of detecting anomalous serialized data patterns or known malicious gadget signatures can provide an additional layer of protection while patches are applied. Furthermore, enforcing strict role-based access control and auditing all endpoints accessible to shop managers helps reduce the attack surface by ensuring that only authorized users can interact with sensitive configuration parameters. Regular security audits focusing on deserialization points across all installed plugins are essential for maintaining a robust defense posture against similar object injection threats in WordPress ecosystems.