CVE-2026-45162 in Pimcore
Summary
by MITRE • 07/17/2026
Pimcore is an Open Source Data & Experience Management Platform. Prior to 11.5.17 (LTS) and 12.3.7, multiple Pimcore locations call PHP's unserialize() on data from database columns and filesystem files without the allowed_classes restriction, including lib/Tool/Authentication.php, models/Site/Dao.php, models/DataObject/ClassDefinition/CustomLayout/Dao.php, models/Tool/TmpStore/Dao.php, models/Asset/WebDAV/Service.php, and admin-ui-classic-bundle/src/Helper/Dashboard.php, enabling object injection and remote code execution if an attacker can control the serialized data source. This issue is fixed in versions 11.5.17 (LTS) and 12.3.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2026
This vulnerability resides within Pimcore's handling of serialized data across multiple core components, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through object injection attacks. The issue stems from the improper use of PHP's unserialize() function in several key files including lib/Tool/Authentication.php and various DAO classes, where untrusted data from database columns and filesystem files is deserialized without proper restrictions on allowed classes.
The technical implementation involves direct calls to unserialize() without setting the allowed_classes parameter to false or explicitly defining permitted classes, creating an environment where attackers can manipulate serialized data to inject malicious objects. When Pimcore processes user-controlled input through these vulnerable paths, it executes arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server process, effectively compromising the entire application infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows full remote code execution capabilities, enabling attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive data, modify application behavior, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The attack surface spans multiple areas of the platform including authentication mechanisms, site management, asset handling, and dashboard functionality, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on Pimcore for content and data management.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-502 which describes "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. The exploitation requires an attacker to first gain access to a data source that can be serialized, typically through user input or database manipulation, then craft malicious payloads that when deserialized execute arbitrary code. Organizations should immediately upgrade to versions 11.5.17 (LTS) or 12.3.7 where proper restrictions have been implemented to prevent unauthorized class instantiation during deserialization processes.
The mitigation strategy involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures, restricting unserialize() operations to specific allowed classes only, and ensuring that all serialized data sources are properly secured against tampering. Additionally, regular security audits of serialization practices and comprehensive logging of deserialization events should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts.