CVE-2024-49684
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a PHP object injection vulnerability in the WordPress plugin 'Backup and Staging by WP Time Capsule' due to unsafe deserialization of untrusted data. Attackers can exploit this to execute arbitrary code, potentially compromising WordPress sites. All sites running affected plugin versions are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Backup and Staging by WP Time Capsule 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 site takeover, data theft, malware installation, or website defacement.
Likely Case
Arbitrary code execution within WordPress context, allowing privilege escalation, backdoor installation, or data manipulation.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper input validation and output encoding are implemented elsewhere in the application stack.
🎯 Exploit Status
PHP object injection vulnerabilities are commonly weaponized. The Patchstack advisory suggests exploitation is possible without authentication.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.22.22 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Backup and Staging by WP Time Capsule'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. Alternatively, download version 1.22.22+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the plugin until patched version is available
wp plugin deactivate wp-time-capsule
Web application firewall rule
allBlock requests containing serialized PHP object patterns
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the plugin entirely if backup functionality is not critical
- Implement strict input validation and sanitization at application layer
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin > Plugins > Installed Plugins for 'Backup and Staging by WP Time Capsule' version 1.22.21 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get wp-time-capsule --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.22.22 or later in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to WordPress admin-ajax.php or plugin-specific endpoints
- PHP errors related to unserialize() or object instantiation
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing serialized PHP object patterns (O:8:"stdClass" etc.)
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("unserialize" OR "PHP object injection" OR "wp-time-capsule")