CVE-2026-62046 in Gutentype Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/10/2026
Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in ThemeREX Group Gutentype gutentype allows Object Injection.This issue affects Gutentype: from n/a through 2.1.12.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2026
The identified security flaw represents a critical deserialization of untrusted data vulnerability within the Gutentype plugin for WordPress, developed by ThemeREX Group. This specific weakness falls under the category of Object Injection, which is formally classified in the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) database as CWE-502. The core technical issue stems from the application's handling of serialized PHP objects that originate from external or untrusted sources without adequate validation or sanitization mechanisms. When an attacker provides maliciously crafted input containing a serialized object, the underlying PHP engine attempts to deserialize this data into executable code structures. Because the deserialization process does not strictly verify the integrity and origin of the incoming data stream, it allows for the instantiation of arbitrary classes with controlled properties, thereby bypassing intended security boundaries.
This vulnerability affects versions of Gutentype ranging from its initial release up through version 2.1.12. The operational impact of this flaw is severe because successful exploitation can lead to remote code execution on the targeted web server. By leveraging object injection, an attacker can manipulate internal application states or trigger specific methods within PHP classes that are registered as callable during deserialization. This capability effectively grants the adversary a high level of control over the compromised system, potentially allowing them to read sensitive configuration files, modify database contents, install backdoors, or use the server as part of a larger botnet infrastructure. The severity is further amplified by the widespread adoption of WordPress and its associated plugins in enterprise environments, where such vulnerabilities can serve as an initial foothold for broader network compromise.
From a tactical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework. Specifically, it relates to technique T1059, Command and Scripting Interpreter, particularly when used via PHP execution contexts. Furthermore, if the exploitation involves manipulating file systems or accessing stored credentials through object properties, it may also intersect with T1213 Data from Information Repositories or T1078 Valid Accounts depending on the specific vectors utilized during post-exploitation activities. The lack of strict type checking and whitelist validation for deserialized objects is a classic indicator of insecure design principles that have been prevalent in many legacy PHP applications prior to modern security hardening practices becoming standard industry norms.
To mitigate this risk, immediate action is required by administrators running affected versions of the Gutentype plugin. The primary remediation step is to upgrade the plugin to version 2.1.13 or later, where the developers have presumably implemented stricter input validation and disabled dangerous deserialization endpoints for unauthenticated users. In scenarios where an update cannot be applied immediately due to compatibility constraints with other site components, administrators should consider disabling PHP object serialization entirely if not required by core functionality, although this is often a drastic measure. Additionally, implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAF) rules that detect and block payloads containing common serialized object patterns or known exploit signatures can provide an additional layer of defense in depth. Regular security audits focusing on input validation practices across all third-party plugins are also recommended to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced through other extensions.