CVE-2026-97188 in String locator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2026
The String locator WordPress plugin before 2.6.8 does not restrict the classes allowed when deserializing the content of a database row saved through its database editor, allowing unauthenticated attackers to store a serialized PHP object that is instantiated when an administrator later opens and saves that row. If a suitable POP chain is present via another installed String locator WordPress plugin before 2.6.8 or , this can lead to arbitrary file deletion, sensitive data disclosure or remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2026
The vulnerability identified in the String Locator WordPress plugin prior to version 2.6.8 represents a critical security flaw rooted in improper handling of PHP object deserialization within the plugin's database editor functionality. This issue stems from a failure to implement strict class whitelisting or type checking when processing serialized data stored in the database. In standard secure development practices, applications should restrict which classes can be instantiated during unserialization processes to prevent attackers from injecting malicious payloads that exploit internal application logic. By allowing any PHP object class to be deserialized without validation, the plugin creates a direct pathway for server-side request forgery and arbitrary code execution if an attacker can control the serialized content.
The operational mechanism of this vulnerability relies on the interaction between unauthenticated input capabilities and privileged administrative actions. An unauthenticated attacker is able to interact with the database editor feature of the String Locator plugin, which lacks sufficient access controls or sanitization measures for the data it accepts. The attacker crafts a malicious PHP object containing specific properties that trigger dangerous methods when instantiated. This serialized payload is then stored in the WordPress database through the vulnerable interface. Crucially, the actual exploitation does not occur at the moment of storage but rather during subsequent administrative operations. When an administrator with higher privileges opens and saves the affected database row within the plugin's interface, the application automatically deserializes the content. At this point, PHP attempts to instantiate the malicious object provided by the attacker.
The security impact is severe because it leverages a Pop chain, which refers to Property-Oriented Programming techniques where an attacker chains together existing methods in legitimate classes to achieve arbitrary functionality without writing new code. If other installed versions of the String Locator plugin or related dependencies contain suitable gadget classes with vulnerable magic methods such as __destruct, __wakeup, or __toString, these can be chained together during deserialization. This chain execution allows for a range of devastating outcomes including remote code execution on the web server, arbitrary file deletion which may disrupt service availability by removing critical configuration files or core WordPress components, and sensitive data disclosure where internal application states or database credentials are exposed to the attacker.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, Deserialization of Untrusted Data, a widely recognized weakness in software security that occurs when an application deserializes untrusted data without sufficiently verifying that the resulting data will be valid. Furthermore, from a tactical perspective as defined by MITRE ATT&CK, this exploitation technique falls under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for remote code execution or T1213 Data from Information Repositories if used to exfiltrate sensitive information stored in the database. The attack vector is classified as unauthenticated with high privilege requirement for successful exploitation due to the necessity of an administrator triggering the deserialization, making it a classic example of how low-privilege access can be escalated through logical flaws and dependency vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading the String Locator WordPress plugin to version 2.6.8 or later where this class restriction has been implemented. Until the upgrade is performed, administrators should disable any database editing features within the plugin if they are not strictly necessary for daily operations. It is also advisable to audit other installed plugins and themes for similar deserialization vulnerabilities, as the presence of a suitable POP chain depends on the broader ecosystem of code running on the server. Implementing web application firewalls that can detect anomalous serialized payloads may provide temporary protection against exploitation attempts while patching efforts are underway. Regular security audits focusing on input validation and strict type checking during data processing phases are essential to prevent recurrence of such deserialization flaws in WordPress environments.