CVE-2026-65497 in Complianz Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/23/2026
Administrator PHP Object Injection in Complianz <= 7.5.0 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as administrator php object injection in the Complianz plugin affects versions up to and including 7.5.0, representing a critical security flaw that allows authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary PHP code through improper input validation and object deserialization processes. This issue stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data during object reconstruction phases, creating an avenue for malicious code execution within the WordPress environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when an administrator interacts with the plugin's administrative interface and submits crafted data that gets processed through php's unserialize function without adequate security measures. The flaw exists in the plugin's handling of serialized objects where user input is directly passed to the unserialization process, allowing attackers to inject malicious objects that execute arbitrary code upon deserialization. This pattern aligns with common web application vulnerabilities classified under CWE-502, which specifically addresses unsafe deserialization issues in software systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it provides attackers with elevated privileges within the WordPress environment, potentially allowing for full system compromise through lateral movement and privilege escalation techniques. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, modify core files, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The risk is particularly severe given that exploitation requires only administrator-level access, which may be obtained through social engineering, credential theft, or other initial compromise vectors.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Complianz version 7.5.1 or later where this vulnerability has been patched, while also reviewing plugin permissions and implementing principle of least privilege configurations. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual administrative activities and unauthorized code execution patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls with rules designed to block malicious serialization attempts and conduct thorough security audits of all installed plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in plugin development, particularly when handling serialized data within content management systems. The issue exemplifies techniques commonly referenced in the attack framework such as those categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, where attackers leverage legitimate administrative interfaces to execute malicious payloads through object injection mechanisms that bypass traditional security controls designed to prevent direct code execution.