CVE-2022-2444
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in the Visualizer WordPress plugin allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level privileges to execute arbitrary PHP code through deserialization attacks. Attackers must successfully upload a malicious file containing a serialized payload, which when processed via the 'remote_data' parameter can trigger PHP object injection leading to remote code execution. WordPress sites using Visualizer plugin versions 3.7.9 and earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Visualizer: Tables and Charts Manager for WordPress
📦 What is this software?
Visualizer by Themeisle
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete server compromise leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or website defacement through remote code execution.
Likely Case
Unauthorized file upload leading to backdoor installation, data exfiltration, or privilege escalation within the WordPress environment.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if file upload restrictions are enforced and contributor accounts are properly managed.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access, successful file upload, and a suitable POP chain for PHP object injection.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.7.10
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=2752058%40visualizer&new=2752058%40visualizer&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Visualizer plugin and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify version is 3.7.10 or later.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict file uploads
allPrevent contributors from uploading files by modifying WordPress user roles or using security plugins.
Disable PHAR wrapper
linuxDisable the phar:// wrapper in PHP configuration if not required.
php_admin_value allow_url_fopen Off
php_admin_value allow_url_include Off
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Temporarily disable the Visualizer plugin until patching is possible
- Restrict contributor account creation and audit existing contributor accounts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Visualizer → Version number. If version is 3.7.9 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name=visualizer --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify Visualizer plugin shows version 3.7.10 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file uploads by contributor users
- PHAR wrapper usage in PHP logs
- Unexpected PHP object instantiation in error logs
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected outbound connections from WordPress server
- Suspicious POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with remote_data parameter
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("phar://" OR "remote_data") AND user_role="contributor"🔗 References
- https://github.com/Codeinwp/visualizer/blob/master/classes/Visualizer/Module/Chart.php#L1115
- https://github.com/Codeinwp/visualizer/blob/master/classes/Visualizer/Source/Csv.php
- https://github.com/Codeinwp/visualizer/compare/v3.7.9...v3.7.10
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=2752058%40visualizer&new=2752058%40visualizer&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/d9606d92-8061-4dfc-a6e2-509b54613277?source=cve
- https://www.wordfence.com/vulnerability-advisories/#CVE-2022-2444
- https://github.com/Codeinwp/visualizer/blob/master/classes/Visualizer/Module/Chart.php#L1115
- https://github.com/Codeinwp/visualizer/blob/master/classes/Visualizer/Source/Csv.php
- https://github.com/Codeinwp/visualizer/compare/v3.7.9...v3.7.10
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=2752058%40visualizer&new=2752058%40visualizer&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/d9606d92-8061-4dfc-a6e2-509b54613277?source=cve
- https://www.wordfence.com/vulnerability-advisories/#CVE-2022-2444
