CVE-2026-116392 in Accordion Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2026
Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in PickPlugins Accordion accordions allows Object Injection.This issue affects Accordion: from n/a through 2.3.25.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2026
The identified security flaw represents a critical deserialization of untrusted data vulnerability within the PickPlugins Accordion component, specifically affecting versions ranging from non-existent initial releases up to version 2.3.25. This class of vulnerability is fundamentally rooted in the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize input before processing it through an object serialization mechanism. When a system accepts serialized objects from external sources without rigorous integrity checks, it creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious payloads that manipulate internal program logic. In this specific context, the accordion component likely processes user-supplied data structures during rendering or state management operations. Because the deserialization process reconstructs these objects in memory, an attacker can craft a specially formatted input string containing serialized Java, Python, PHP, or other language-specific object graphs designed to exploit known gadget chains within the underlying framework or runtime environment.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability relies on the inherent trust placed by many serialization libraries in the structure of incoming data streams. When the PickPlugins Accordion component receives untrusted input and passes it directly to a deserialization function, such as readObject() in Java or unserialize() in PHP, the application inadvertently executes code defined within those objects rather than merely reading static data. This leads to Object Injection, where an attacker can instantiate arbitrary classes with controlled properties. By leveraging common utility libraries often present in web applications, known as gadgets, an attacker can chain method calls that result in Remote Code Execution (RCE). For instance, if the environment includes libraries like Commons Collections or Spring Beans, the injected object can trigger side effects such as executing system commands, reading sensitive files, or modifying application state. This transforms a simple UI component into a potent attack vector capable of compromising the entire server infrastructure hosting the web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations relying on affected versions of PickPlugins Accordion. Successful exploitation allows an unauthenticated attacker to gain full control over the underlying operating system, bypassing standard authentication mechanisms entirely. This level of access enables data exfiltration, where sensitive customer information or proprietary business logic can be stolen. Furthermore, attackers may use this foothold as a pivot point for lateral movement within the internal network, escalating privileges and accessing other critical systems. The persistence established through object injection can also lead to long-term compromise, allowing adversaries to maintain access even after initial detection efforts are undertaken. Given that accordion components are frequently used in user-facing interfaces, they are often exposed directly to internet traffic, increasing the likelihood of automated exploitation attempts by malicious actors scanning for vulnerable instances across the web.
To mitigate this risk, immediate action is required to update the PickPlugins Accordion library to a version later than 2.3.25 where the deserialization logic has been hardened or removed in favor of safer data interchange formats like JSON with strict schema validation. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, organizations should implement input validation strategies that strictly whitelist allowed characters and structures for accordion parameters. Additionally, deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAF) rules to detect common serialization payload signatures can provide a layer of defense against exploitation attempts in production environments. It is also advisable to disable unnecessary deserialization features within the application framework and ensure that runtime environments are configured with security managers or sandboxing techniques that restrict class loading capabilities. Regular vulnerability scanning and code reviews focusing on data flow analysis will help identify similar patterns elsewhere in the codebase, ensuring a comprehensive defense against injection-based attacks.
This vulnerability aligns closely with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) ID 502, which describes Deserialization of Untrusted Data. It also maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1190, Exploit Public-Facing Application, as the flaw resides in a component likely accessible via network interfaces. The specific exploitation method falls under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter if RCE is achieved through gadget chains that invoke system commands. Understanding these mappings helps security teams prioritize remediation efforts based on industry-standard risk assessments and threat intelligence frameworks. By addressing this issue, organizations not only secure the PickPlugins Accordion component but also reinforce their overall posture against sophisticated injection attacks that target weak points in data handling processes.