CVE-2026-62076 in Kalles Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/10/2026
Unauthenticated PHP Object Injection in Kalles <= 1.1.7.1 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as an unauthenticated PHP object injection flaw within Kalles versions up to and including 1.1.7.1 represents a critical security deficiency that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target server without requiring valid credentials. This type of vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before it is passed to PHP functions capable of deserializing data, such as unserialize(). In modern web development frameworks and content management systems like Kalles, object serialization is often used for session management, caching mechanisms, or passing complex state between different parts of an application. When these serialized strings are derived from user-controlled sources without adequate integrity checks, they become a vector for exploitation. The attacker can craft a maliciously formatted serialized string that, when deserialized by the vulnerable function, triggers the instantiation of arbitrary PHP objects with pre-defined properties and methods.
From a technical perspective, this flaw is classified under CWE-502, which denotes Deserialization of Untrusted Data. This category encompasses situations where an application accepts data from an untrusted source and interprets it as code or executable instructions during the deserialization process. The danger lies in PHP's magic methods, such as __wakeup(), __destruct(), and __toString(), which are automatically invoked when objects are created or destroyed. If a vulnerable class within the Kalles framework contains these magic methods that perform sensitive operations—such as file system access, database queries, or network connections—an attacker can manipulate the object properties to trigger these actions in unintended ways. For instance, an attacker might modify a property pointing to a local file path to read sensitive configuration files containing database credentials or API keys, effectively achieving remote code execution or information disclosure with the privileges of the web server process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its unauthenticated nature. Since no login or authentication token is required to trigger the deserialization flaw, any anonymous user visiting a specific endpoint or submitting a crafted HTTP request can exploit the issue. This significantly lowers the barrier for entry, allowing automated scanning tools and opportunistic attackers to compromise the system with minimal effort. Once exploited, the consequences extend beyond simple data theft. An attacker could establish a persistent backdoor by writing malicious PHP scripts to the web root directory, leading to full server takeover. Furthermore, this vulnerability can be chained with other weaknesses such as cross-site scripting or SQL injection if the deserialized objects interact with those subsystems improperly. The lack of authentication means that the attack surface is maximized, affecting all users and potentially compromising the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the entire web application infrastructure hosting Kalles.
In terms of industry-standard mapping, this vulnerability aligns closely with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059, specifically sub-technique 001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP. The exploitation path typically involves crafting a serialized payload that leverages existing classes within the application or included libraries to execute system commands. This is often part of a broader attack chain where initial access leads to privilege escalation and lateral movement. Security researchers frequently categorize such flaws under CWE-94, Improper Control of Generation of Code (Code Injection), as the ultimate goal is often to inject and execute arbitrary code within the PHP runtime environment. The presence of this vulnerability indicates a fundamental misunderstanding or misconfiguration regarding secure coding practices related to object lifecycle management in PHP applications.
To mitigate this risk, immediate action must be taken by upgrading Kalles to version 1.1.7.2 or later, where the developers have presumably patched the deserialization logic and implemented stricter input validation. For organizations unable to upgrade immediately due to compatibility constraints, several defensive measures can reduce exposure. Implementing a strict allowlist for allowed classes during deserialization is one of the most effective technical controls, ensuring that only expected object types are instantiated. Additionally, enabling PHP's built-in serialization handlers with integrity verification mechanisms, such as HMAC signatures, can prevent tampering with serialized data in transit or storage. Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) should be configured to detect and block requests containing suspicious patterns associated with PHP object injection payloads, such as specific base64-encoded strings or known gadget chain markers. Regular security audits focusing on input validation and secure deserialization practices are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future updates or custom modules integrated into the Kalles platform.