CVE-2026-57724 in Kirki Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/13/2026
Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in Themeum Kirki kirki allows Object Injection.This issue affects Kirki: from n/a through <= 6.0.12.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2026
The vulnerability under discussion represents a critical deserialization flaw in the Themeum Kirki plugin, specifically categorized as deserialization of untrusted data which aligns with CWE-502. This issue manifests as an object injection vulnerability that can be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability affects all versions of Kirki from the initial release through version 6.0.12, indicating a prolonged window of exposure for users who have not updated their installations.
The technical flaw occurs when the plugin processes user-supplied data without proper validation or sanitization during the deserialization process. When untrusted input reaches the plugin's deserialization routines, it can be interpreted as legitimate object code rather than malicious payload, allowing attackers to inject objects that execute unintended operations on the target system. This vulnerability operates at the core of PHP's serialization mechanisms where objects are converted into strings for storage or transmission, and then reconstructed back into objects upon retrieval.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted across multiple attack vectors. An attacker could potentially gain full administrative control over affected WordPress installations, leading to complete compromise of websites that utilize vulnerable versions of Kirki. The attack surface expands significantly as this vulnerability can be exploited through various entry points including theme customization panels, plugin configuration interfaces, or any user input field where serialized data is processed and stored. This represents a significant risk for website owners who may not regularly update their plugins, as the vulnerability can remain undetected for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The most critical action is updating to version 6.0.13 or later where the deserialization vulnerability has been patched. Security professionals should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that prevent untrusted data from reaching deserialization functions, following the principle of least privilege for plugin operations. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious serialization patterns, conducting regular security audits of plugin installations, and establishing automated update processes to ensure timely patch deployment. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous deserialization activities indicative of exploitation attempts, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices in plugin development, particularly around data validation and sanitization, as outlined in OWASP Top 10 categories related to injection flaws and insecure deserialization.