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Tag: cwe-502

  • Critical Deserialization Vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion (CVE-2025-24447)

    Overview

    A critical vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-24447, has been disclosed in Adobe ColdFusion, affecting versions 2025.0, 2023.12, 2021.18, and earlier. The vulnerability results from the deserialization of untrusted data and could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the current user. No user interaction is required to exploit this issue, making it particularly dangerous.

    Technical Details

    This vulnerability is classified under CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data. When an application deserializes data without verifying its source or integrity, it becomes vulnerable to malicious payloads embedded in serialized objects. In this case, ColdFusion may deserialize crafted input from an attacker, leading to code execution.

    The vulnerability is accessible via network and requires no authentication or user interaction. The impact is significant, particularly to confidentiality and integrity, though availability is not directly affected.

    CVSS v3.1 Vector

    • Base Score: 9.1 (Critical)
    • Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
    • Attack Vector: Network
    • Privileges Required: None
    • User Interaction: None
    • Scope: Unchanged
    • Confidentiality/Integrity Impact: High

    Affected Versions

    • Adobe ColdFusion 2025.0 and earlier
    • Adobe ColdFusion 2023.12
    • Adobe ColdFusion 2021.18

    Mitigation and Recommendations

    Adobe has released security patches as part of its April 2025 Security Bulletin. All organizations using affected versions of ColdFusion should:

    • Apply the security updates immediately
    • Audit ColdFusion applications for unexpected behavior or access
    • Restrict input sources and validate data formats rigorously

    Conclusion

    CVE-2025-24447 highlights the persistent risks posed by insecure deserialization practices in web applications. Given its ease of exploitation and critical impact, this vulnerability demands urgent attention and immediate remediation.

    For more information, refer to the Adobe Security Bulletin.

  • CVE-2025-27816: Critical Deserialization Vulnerability in Arctera InfoScale

    Overview

    On March 7, 2025, a critical vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-27816 was published, impacting Arctera InfoScale versions 7.0 through 8.0.2. The issue is related to CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data, a serious vulnerability category known to enable remote code execution and full system compromise if improperly handled.

    Vulnerability Details

    The vulnerability exists in the Plugin_Host service within InfoScale, a component that runs on all Windows servers where InfoScale is installed. This service is used when applications are configured for Disaster Recovery (DR) through the DR wizard. An attacker can exploit this service by sending untrusted serialized .NET messages to the remoting endpoint, which leads to insecure deserialization.

    This vulnerability is especially dangerous due to its reach across all DR-enabled servers and the lack of required user interaction or privileges for exploitation.

    Technical Analysis

    According to the CVSS v3.1 scoring system, CVE-2025-27816 has a base score of 9.8 (Critical). The vector string is:

    CVSS:3.1/AC:L/AV:N/A:H/C:H/I:H/PR:N/S:U/UI:N

    Key attributes include:

    • Attack Vector: Network
    • Attack Complexity: Low
    • Privileges Required: None
    • User Interaction: None
    • Scope: Unchanged
    • Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability Impact: High

    Because exploitation does not require any privileges or interaction, and the Plugin_Host service is active across all DR-configured installations, the potential for automated large-scale attacks is significant.

    Understanding CWE-502

    CWE-502 involves the deserialization of untrusted data, which can lead to code execution if the application automatically instantiates objects from serialized input. Without validation or sandboxing, this leads to arbitrary behavior controlled by an attacker.

    Impact and Mitigation

    Successful exploitation could allow attackers to:

    • Remotely execute arbitrary code
    • Compromise system integrity and confidentiality
    • Cause service disruption or deploy persistent malware

    Mitigation is straightforward but essential. Manually disabling the Plugin_Host service effectively removes the vulnerable surface. Organizations should also review DR configurations and deploy any available patches or vendor advisories.

    Conclusion

    CVE-2025-27816 is a high-risk vulnerability that underscores the critical danger of insecure deserialization, particularly in enterprise-grade disaster recovery environments. Its simplicity of exploitation and severity of impact make it an urgent issue for InfoScale users to address.

    More information and mitigation guidance is available in the official advisory.

  • CVE-2025-42999: Insecure Deserialization in SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer

    Overview

    On May 13, 2025, SAP published a critical vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-42999 affecting the Visual Composer development server within SAP NetWeaver. The issue is classified under CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data, a well-known class of vulnerabilities that can allow attackers to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of a system.

    Vulnerability Details

    The vulnerability impacts the following product:

    • Product: SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer Metadata Uploader
    • Version Affected: VCFRAMEWORK 7.50

    The flaw occurs when a privileged user uploads malicious or untrusted metadata content to the server. When this content is deserialized, it can lead to the execution of arbitrary code or other serious consequences depending on the payload and environment. Although the attacker must already have high privileges, exploitation does not require any user interaction and can be performed over a network.

    Technical Analysis

    The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.1, indicating critical severity. The vector string is:

    CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

    Key metrics include:

    • Attack Vector: Network
    • Attack Complexity: Low
    • Privileges Required: High
    • User Interaction: None
    • Scope: Changed
    • Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability Impact: High

    This means a high-privileged user can exploit the vulnerability remotely without triggering any user interaction, and the resulting impact may extend beyond the original component being attacked.

    Understanding CWE-502

    Deserialization of Untrusted Data occurs when an application processes serialized data from an untrusted source without adequate validation. In SAP NetWeaver’s case, improperly validated metadata may be deserialized and trigger arbitrary behavior. Such flaws can be difficult to detect and are often exploited in advanced attacks that aim to execute code or escalate privileges.

    Exploitation and Threat Landscape

    According to the CISA KEV catalog, this vulnerability is actively being exploited in the wild. It has also been highlighted in SAP’s official security notes. The Onapsis research team confirmed exploitation evidence and emphasized its criticality for SAP environments.

    Recommendations

    To mitigate this vulnerability, SAP recommends:

    • Applying patches or mitigations provided in the latest SAP Security Patch Day updates.
    • Restricting access to systems where deserialization may occur.
    • Implementing secure coding practices to avoid unsafe deserialization patterns.
    • Monitoring for unusual privileged user activity and uploads.

    Conclusion

    CVE-2025-42999 highlights the risks associated with deserialization vulnerabilities, especially in complex enterprise environments like SAP. Due to its high severity and active exploitation, organizations should prioritize patching and review their use of metadata handling and upload functions.

  • CVE-2025-20124: Critical Java Deserialization Vulnerability in Cisco ISE

    Overview

    CVE-2025-20124 discloses a critical vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), affecting multiple versions including 2.7.0 patch 8 through 3.3 patch 3. This flaw stems from insecure deserialization of Java objects in an exposed API, allowing authenticated remote attackers to execute commands with root privileges.

    Technical Details

    This vulnerability is classified under CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data. Cisco ISE fails to safely deserialize user-supplied Java byte streams received through a specific API endpoint. By submitting a crafted serialized Java object, an attacker with valid read-only administrative credentials can trigger arbitrary command execution and escalate privileges to root on the affected device.

    Though authentication is required, the low privileges needed and remote accessibility make this flaw particularly dangerous in multi-node or enterprise deployments.

    CVSS Score and Severity

    The vulnerability is rated as CRITICAL with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.9. Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:H. Breakdown:

    • Attack Vector: Network
    • Attack Complexity: Low
    • Privileges Required: Low
    • User Interaction: None
    • Scope: Changed
    • Impact: High integrity and availability, low confidentiality

    Impact

    Successful exploitation can allow attackers to:

    • Execute arbitrary system commands as root
    • Gain full control of the affected device
    • Disrupt authentication services in single-node deployments

    No public exploitation has been reported at this time, but the severity and nature of the vulnerability call for immediate attention.

    Mitigation

    • Apply security updates provided by Cisco as outlined in their advisory.
    • Restrict access to Cisco ISE management APIs using firewall rules and access control.
    • Monitor system logs for anomalous API requests or process behavior.

    References

  • CVE-2025-26763: PHP Object Injection in MetaSlider Plugin for WordPress

    Overview

    CVE-2025-26763 discloses a critical vulnerability in the popular Responsive Slider by MetaSlider WordPress plugin, affecting all versions up to and including 3.94.0. This issue permits PHP Object Injection via deserialization of untrusted data, exposing affected websites to potential code execution and full system compromise.

    Technical Details

    The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data. In affected versions, insufficient validation when handling serialized data allows attackers to inject specially crafted objects. These objects can manipulate application behavior or trigger execution paths leading to arbitrary code execution, depending on the availability of a Property-Oriented Programming (POP) chain.

    The vulnerable code path does not require authentication or user interaction, making exploitation feasible via network-based attacks.

    Severity and CVSS Score

    This vulnerability is rated as Critical with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8. The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, which indicates:

    • Attack Vector: Network
    • Attack Complexity: Low
    • Privileges Required: None
    • User Interaction: None
    • Impact: High on confidentiality, integrity, and availability

    Impact

    If exploited, this vulnerability may allow attackers to:

    • Execute arbitrary PHP code on the server
    • Access or modify sensitive data
    • Disrupt website functionality or availability

    The severity is compounded by the plugin’s widespread usage in WordPress sites and the unauthenticated nature of the attack vector.

    Mitigation

    • Update Immediately: Upgrade to MetaSlider version 3.95.0 or later.
    • Monitor for Indicators of Compromise: Review server logs and file integrity for any suspicious activity.
    • Restrict Unnecessary Plugin Use: Deactivate or remove unused plugins to reduce attack surface.

    References

    Credits

    Thanks to Le Ngoc Anh (Patchstack Alliance) for responsibly reporting this vulnerability.

  • CVE-2025-2332: PHP Object Injection Vulnerability in WordPress Export Plugin

    Overview

    A critical vulnerability has been identified in the WordPress plugin Export All Posts, Products, Orders, Refunds & Users, affecting all versions up to and including 2.13. Tracked as CVE-2025-2332, this flaw exposes sites to PHP Object Injection due to unsafe deserialization of user input within the returnMetaValueAsCustomerInput function.

    Technical Details

    The vulnerability stems from a lack of input validation when data is passed to the returnMetaValueAsCustomerInput function. Specifically, it deserializes untrusted user input, which creates a condition known as Deserialization of Untrusted Data (CWE-502).

    This vulnerability can allow unauthenticated attackers to inject PHP objects into the application. Although the vulnerable plugin does not contain a known POP chain (Property-Oriented Programming chain), the impact becomes critical if another plugin or theme on the same site introduces such a chain. In such cases, an attacker could:

    • Delete arbitrary files
    • Access sensitive information
    • Execute arbitrary code on the server

    Severity and CVSS Score

    According to CVSS v3.1, this vulnerability has been scored 9.8 (Critical), with the following vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. This score indicates:

    • Attack Vector (AV:N): Exploitable over the network
    • Attack Complexity (AC:L): Low complexity required
    • Privileges Required (PR:N): No authentication necessary
    • User Interaction (UI:N): No user interaction needed
    • Impact (C, I, A: H): High impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability

    Impact Analysis

    By itself, CVE-2025-2332 cannot be exploited for arbitrary code execution due to the absence of a POP chain in the vulnerable plugin. However, in real-world environments where other plugins or themes introduce a POP chain, the potential damage becomes severe. This highlights the importance of defense-in-depth and avoiding unnecessary plugin installations.

    Mitigation and Recommendations

    • Update Immediately: Site administrators using versions ≤ 2.13 of this plugin should upgrade to a fixed version as soon as one is available.
    • Audit Plugins and Themes: Remove or replace any plugins or themes that may introduce exploitable POP chains.
    • Monitor Logs: Check for unexpected activity or unusual file changes.
    • Use Application Firewalls: Tools like Wordfence can help detect and block such injection attempts.

    References

    Credits

    This vulnerability was responsibly disclosed by Craig Smith.

  • CVE-2025-30065: Critical Code Execution Vulnerability in Apache Parquet Java (parquet-avro Module)

    Overview

    On April 1, 2025, a critical vulnerability was published under the identifier CVE-2025-30065. The flaw affects Apache Parquet Java, specifically the parquet-avro module in versions ≤ 1.15.0. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code when a specially crafted Avro schema is parsed from Parquet file metadata.

    Technical Details

    This issue arises due to unsafe schema parsing that leads to deserialization of untrusted data (CWE-502). When an application using the vulnerable library reads a malicious Parquet file, it may deserialize attacker-controlled input, resulting in full remote code execution. This can occur without any user interaction or special permissions.

    The issue has been assigned the highest CVSS v4.0 base score of 10 (Critical), reflecting the severity and exploitability of the flaw. According to the CVSS vector:

    CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H
    • Attack Vector: Network
    • Attack Complexity: Low
    • Privileges Required: None
    • User Interaction: None
    • Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability Impact: High

    Impacted Component

    The vulnerability affects the org.apache.parquet:parquet-avro package from the Apache Parquet Java library. All versions up to and including 1.15.0 are vulnerable.

    Real-World Impact

    This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where applications process Parquet files from untrusted sources, such as data ingestion systems, cloud data pipelines, or external integrations. Exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, as confirmed by publicly available proof-of-concept exploits.

    Mitigation

    • Upgrade to Apache Parquet Java version 1.15.1 or later, which includes a fix for this issue.
    • Do not process untrusted Parquet files until patches are applied.
    • Consider isolating file parsing into sandboxed or low-privilege environments to reduce risk.

    Discovery and Acknowledgment

    This vulnerability was discovered by Keyi Li from Amazon. The Apache Software Foundation has released an advisory and patch for the issue. Additional exploit demonstrations have been shared by the security community on GitHub.

    References

    All users of the Apache Parquet Java library are urged to update immediately.

  • CVE-2025-47582: Critical PHP Object Injection in WPBot Pro WordPress Chatbot Plugin

    Overview

    On May 19, 2025, a critical vulnerability was disclosed under the identifier CVE-2025-47582. This vulnerability affects the WPBot Pro WordPress Chatbot plugin by QuantumCloud, in all versions up to and including 12.7.0. It involves a PHP Object Injection issue due to the unsafe deserialization of untrusted data. This flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely and has received a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (Critical).

    Technical Details

    The core of the vulnerability lies in how the plugin handles serialized data. It fails to properly validate input before deserialization, making it possible for attackers to inject malicious PHP objects. This type of issue is categorized as CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data, which is a common and severe programming flaw in PHP applications.

    Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain full control over the affected website, access sensitive information, alter functionality, or cause a complete service outage. The attack pattern aligns with CAPEC-586: Object Injection, highlighting the risks of allowing deserialization without strict controls.

    CVSS Breakdown

    CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
    • Attack Vector: Network – Can be exploited remotely.
    • Attack Complexity: Low – No special conditions required.
    • Privileges Required: None – No authentication needed.
    • User Interaction: None – Fully automated attack possible.
    • Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability: High – Complete system compromise possible.

    Impacted Versions

    All versions of WPBot Pro WordPress Chatbot up to and including 12.7.0 are affected. If you are using this plugin, immediate action is strongly recommended.

    Discovery and Credit

    This vulnerability was responsibly disclosed by Tran Nguyen Bao Khanh from VCI – VNPT. The advisory has been published and verified by Patchstack.

    Mitigation Steps

    • Update the WPBot Pro plugin to a version newer than 12.7.0, if available.
    • If no patch is yet available, disable the plugin until a secure version is released.
    • Consider deploying a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to mitigate attack attempts targeting serialized inputs.

    Conclusion

    PHP Object Injection vulnerabilities pose severe security threats, especially when they are exposed over the network without requiring authentication. Developers must avoid using unserialize() on user-supplied input or must implement robust validation controls. Website owners should maintain a regular update strategy and monitor vulnerability disclosures relevant to their stack.

    For further information, consult the official advisory on Patchstack.

  • CVE-2025-47581: Critical PHP Object Injection in WordPress Events Calendar Registration & Tickets Plugin

    Overview

    On May 19, 2025, a critical vulnerability was published under the identifier CVE-2025-47581. This vulnerability affects the popular WordPress plugin Events Calendar Registration & Tickets by Elbisnero, up to version 2.6.0. The flaw is a PHP Object Injection vulnerability resulting from unsafe deserialization of untrusted data. It has received a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (Critical).

    Technical Details

    The vulnerability stems from improper handling of serialized input within the plugin’s codebase. Specifically, the plugin deserializes data without adequate validation or sanitation, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary PHP objects. This can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or manipulate application behavior.

    According to the Common Weakness Enumeration, this issue maps to CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data. The vulnerability is cataloged under the CAPEC-586: Object Injection attack pattern, highlighting the security implications of insecure deserialization techniques.

    The CVSS v3.1 vector string for this vulnerability is:

    CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

    This means:

    • Attack Vector (AV): Network – Can be exploited remotely.
    • Attack Complexity (AC): Low – Easily executed without complex conditions.
    • Privileges Required (PR): None – No authentication required.
    • User Interaction (UI): None – No user involvement necessary.
    • Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability Impact: High – Severe consequences on data and service integrity.

    Impacted Versions

    The vulnerability affects all versions of WordPress Events Calendar Registration & Tickets up to and including version 2.6.0. According to the vendor’s disclosure, newer versions may not be impacted, but users are strongly advised to verify and apply updates promptly.

    Discovery and Credits

    The vulnerability was discovered by Bonds from the Patchstack Alliance, a group dedicated to identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in WordPress ecosystems. The issue was responsibly disclosed and publicly documented by Patchstack.

    Mitigation

    If you are using a vulnerable version (≤ 2.6.0) of the plugin:

    • Immediately update to a patched version, if available.
    • If no fix is available, consider disabling or replacing the plugin temporarily.
    • Employ a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to detect and block suspicious serialized data patterns.

    Conclusion

    This vulnerability is a stark reminder of the risks associated with deserialization and untrusted user input. Plugin developers should avoid unsafe PHP functions like unserialize() without proper controls and adopt secure coding practices. Website administrators must stay vigilant by keeping plugins up to date and monitoring for new disclosures regularly.

    For further details, see the official advisory on Patchstack.

  • CVE-2025-23914: Critical PHP Object Injection in Muzaara Google Ads Report Plugin

    Overview

    CVE-2025-23914 highlights a critical vulnerability in the Muzaara Google Ads Report plugin for WordPress, affecting versions up to and including 3.1. The issue allows PHP Object Injection through the deserialization of untrusted data, potentially enabling full system compromise.

    What is PHP Object Injection?

    PHP Object Injection is a security vulnerability that occurs when user-controllable data is passed to the unserialize() function in PHP. This allows attackers to inject maliciously crafted objects, leading to the execution of code, data manipulation, or even complete application takeover—especially if vulnerable classes with magic methods are present.

    This flaw is categorized under CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data and maps to CAPEC-586: Object Injection.

    Technical Details

    The plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize serialized data inputs, exposing an unsafe deserialization vector. Since this vulnerability:

    • Requires no authentication
    • Is exploitable over the network
    • Needs no user interaction

    It presents an exceptionally high risk for WordPress site operators.

    CVSS Score and Severity

    The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS v3.1 score of 9.8 (Critical):

    • Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
    • Attack Vector: Network
    • Privileges Required: None
    • User Interaction: None
    • Impact: High on confidentiality, integrity, and availability

    This indicates a high-impact vulnerability that can be exploited remotely with minimal effort.

    SSVC Assessment

    Based on the Stakeholder-Specific Vulnerability Categorization (SSVC) by CISA, the flaw is:

    • Not yet known to be exploited
    • Highly automatable
    • Technically impactful to a total extent

    These indicators underscore the urgent need for immediate remediation.

    Mitigation

    Administrators using the Muzaara Google Ads Report plugin should:

    • Immediately update or disable the plugin if no patch is available
    • Audit their WordPress installation for suspicious serialized payloads
    • Implement WAF rules to block known deserialization exploits

    References

    Due to the high severity and ease of exploitation, organizations should treat this vulnerability as a top-priority fix.