CVE-2024-49218
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2024-49218 is a PHP object injection vulnerability in the Recently WordPress plugin that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code through deserialization of untrusted data. This affects WordPress sites using the Recently plugin for WooCommerce product tracking. Attackers can exploit this to gain control of affected websites.
💻 Affected Systems
- Recently WordPress 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 complete website compromise, data theft, malware deployment, and server takeover.
Likely Case
Website defacement, backdoor installation, credential theft, and unauthorized administrative access.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper input validation and output encoding are implemented, though deserialization vulnerabilities remain dangerous.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation is straightforward once the vulnerability details are understood. Public proof-of-concept exists.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.2 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Recently' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update, deactivate and remove plugin immediately.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Recently Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched version is available
wp plugin deactivate recently
Remove Plugin Files
linuxCompletely remove the plugin files from the WordPress installation
rm -rf /path/to/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/recently
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block deserialization attempts
- Restrict access to affected endpoints using IP whitelisting or authentication
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Recently plugin version. If version is 1.1 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get recently --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.2 or later in WordPress admin panel. Test functionality remains working.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to Recently plugin endpoints
- PHP error logs showing unserialize() warnings
- Unexpected file creation in wp-content directories
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with serialized PHP objects in parameters
- Traffic to Recently plugin endpoints from unusual sources
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND "recently" AND ("unserialize" OR "POST" AND "php")