CVE-2024-13889
📋 TL;DR
The WordPress Importer plugin is vulnerable to PHP object injection via deserialization of untrusted input. This allows authenticated attackers with Administrator access to inject PHP objects, but exploitation requires a separate plugin or theme containing a POP chain. Only WordPress sites using the vulnerable plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Importer plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
If combined with a POP chain from another plugin/theme, attackers could execute arbitrary code, delete files, or steal sensitive data.
Likely Case
Limited impact since no POP chain exists in the vulnerable plugin itself; exploitation requires specific additional vulnerable components.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and no vulnerable POP chains present, the vulnerability has minimal practical impact.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires Administrator access and a POP chain from another plugin/theme. No known POP chain exists in the vulnerable software itself.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 0.8.3
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3261419/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find WordPress Importer plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available, or manually update to latest version. 5. Verify plugin is updated to version after 0.8.3.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable WordPress Importer plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patching is possible
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove Administrator access from untrusted users
- Audit and remove any plugins/themes containing POP chains
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for WordPress Importer version 0.8.3 or earlierCheck Version:
No command needed; check via WordPress admin interfaceVerify Fix Applied:
Verify WordPress Importer plugin version is higher than 0.8.3 in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual administrator activity
- Multiple failed import attempts
- Unexpected PHP object deserialization in logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to WordPress import functionality from unusual sources
SIEM Query:
Search for 'wordpress-importer' plugin activity combined with administrator user actions🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wordpress-importer/trunk/class-wp-import.php#L602
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wordpress-importer/trunk/class-wp-import.php#L857
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wordpress-importer/trunk/class-wp-import.php#L891
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wordpress-importer/trunk/class-wp-import.php#L975
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3261419/
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/5f0795f7-6eba-4ff0-b0da-5d2b544adf14?source=cve
