CVE-2024-52414
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious objects through deserialization of untrusted data in the WDES Responsive Mobile Menu WordPress plugin. Successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution, data theft, or site takeover. All WordPress sites using affected versions of this plugin are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- WDES Responsive Mobile Menu 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
Complete server compromise leading to data exfiltration, ransomware deployment, or persistent backdoor installation
Likely Case
Website defacement, admin account takeover, or installation of malicious plugins/themes
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper web application firewalls and input validation are in place
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation is straightforward once the vulnerability is understood, with public technical details available
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 5.3.19 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins
3. Find 'WDES Responsive Mobile Menu'
4. Click 'Update Now' if available
5. If no update appears, download version 5.3.19+ from WordPress repository
6. Deactivate old plugin, upload new version, activate
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate wdes-responsive-mobile-menu
Web Application Firewall Rule
allBlock requests containing serialized PHP object patterns
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the plugin entirely and use alternative mobile menu solutions
- Implement strict input validation and sanitization for all plugin-related parameters
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → WDES Responsive Mobile Menu version numberCheck Version:
wp plugin get wdes-responsive-mobile-menu --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm plugin version is 5.3.19 or higher in WordPress admin📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to plugin endpoints
- PHP unserialize() errors in logs
- Unexpected file writes in wp-content
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing serialized PHP object patterns (O:)
- Traffic to known exploit servers
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("unserialize" OR "wdes-responsive-mobile-menu")