CVE-2026-1542 in Super Stage WP Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/28/2026
The Super Stage WP WordPress plugin through 1.0.1 unserializes user input via REQUEST, which could allow unauthenticated users to perform PHP Object Injection when a suitable gadget is present on the blog.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2026
The Super Stage WP WordPress plugin version 1.0.1 contains a critical vulnerability classified as CVE-2026-1542 that stems from improper input validation and unsafe deserialization practices. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data through the REQUEST superglobal, creating an avenue for attackers to execute malicious code on affected WordPress installations. The flaw represents a classic PHP Object Injection vulnerability that can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for widely deployed plugins.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin processes user input through the REQUEST parameter without adequate sanitization or validation. When the plugin attempts to unserialize data from the user-supplied input, it fails to properly verify the source or content of the serialized data. This unsafe deserialization process creates an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious serialized objects that, when processed by the vulnerable plugin, can trigger arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the core level of object instantiation within PHP, where malicious payloads can leverage existing gadget chains present in the target environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass full system compromise when combined with suitable gadget chains. Attackers can exploit this flaw to perform various malicious activities including but not limited to remote code execution, privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms within the compromised WordPress environment. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit means that any visitor to the affected website can potentially leverage this vulnerability, making it a high-severity threat that affects all users regardless of their authentication status. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-502 which specifically addresses unsafe deserialization in software systems.
Organizations running affected versions of the Super Stage WP plugin face significant risk of compromise due to the nature of the vulnerability and the widespread use of WordPress platforms. The attack surface is broad as the vulnerability affects the core plugin functionality and can be exploited through simple HTTP requests without requiring any special privileges or credentials. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter while also potentially enabling T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering through the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. The risk is compounded by the fact that many WordPress installations may not have proper input validation or web application firewalls in place to detect and prevent such attacks.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate plugin updates to versions that address the deserialization vulnerability, implementation of web application firewalls that can detect suspicious deserialization patterns, and comprehensive monitoring for unusual request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing proper input validation at multiple layers including application-level filters and network-level protections to prevent malicious serialized data from reaching the vulnerable plugin. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential gadget chains that might be present in the target environment and ensure that all WordPress installations maintain up-to-date core versions and plugins to reduce the overall attack surface. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices specifically around object serialization and deserialization in web applications.