CVE-2024-43252
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2024-43252 is a PHP object injection vulnerability in the Crew HRM WordPress plugin that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code through deserialization of untrusted data. This affects all WordPress sites running Crew HRM version 1.1.1 or earlier. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Crew HRM 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
Remote code execution leading to full server compromise, data theft, website defacement, and installation of backdoors or malware.
Likely Case
Unauthenticated attackers achieving remote code execution to create administrative users, steal sensitive HR data, or deploy web shells.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper web application firewalls block malicious payloads and strict file permissions prevent code execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Public exploit code is available, making this easily weaponizable by attackers with minimal technical skill.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.1.2 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/hr-management/wordpress-crew-hrm-plugin-1-1-1-php-object-injection-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find Crew HRM and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify version is 1.1.2 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Crew HRM Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patching is possible
wp plugin deactivate crew-hrm
Web Application Firewall Rule
allBlock requests containing serialized PHP object payloads
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable Crew HRM plugin immediately and use alternative HR management solutions
- Implement strict network segmentation and limit access to affected WordPress instances
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Crew HRM version. If version is 1.1.1 or lower, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get crew-hrm --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Crew HRM plugin version is 1.1.2 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to WordPress endpoints, especially with serialized data patterns
- Unexpected PHP file creation in WordPress directories
- New administrative user creation in WordPress logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing serialized PHP object strings (O: or C: patterns)
- Traffic to known exploit payload delivery domains
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("unserialize" OR "O:" OR "C:") AND status=200