CVE-2025-48336
📋 TL;DR
A deserialization vulnerability in ThimPress Course Builder WordPress theme allows attackers to inject malicious objects by manipulating serialized data. This affects all WordPress sites using Course Builder theme versions before 3.6.6, potentially leading to remote code execution.
💻 Affected Systems
- ThimPress Course Builder WordPress Theme
⚠️ 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 system compromise, data theft, and persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Arbitrary code execution with the web server's privileges, allowing file system access, database manipulation, and further privilege escalation.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper input validation and output encoding are implemented, though deserialization vulnerabilities remain high-risk.
🎯 Exploit Status
Deserialization vulnerabilities are commonly weaponized. The CVSS 9.8 score suggests trivial exploitation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.6.6
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/theme/course-builder/vulnerability/wordpress-course-builder-3-6-6-php-object-injection-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Appearance > Themes. 3. Find Course Builder theme. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 3.6.6+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable theme
allTemporarily switch to a different WordPress theme until patched
Web Application Firewall rule
allBlock serialized object patterns in HTTP requests
WAF rule to block patterns containing O: and C: in POST/PUT data
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected WordPress instance behind strict network segmentation
- Implement strict input validation and sanitization for all user-controlled data
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Appearance > Themes for Course Builder version. If version is below 3.6.6, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp theme list --field=name,version --format=csv | grep course-builderVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Course Builder theme version is 3.6.6 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests containing serialized PHP objects
- Unexpected file creation/modification in wp-content directory
- Suspicious PHP function calls in web server logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with serialized data patterns (O:, C:, s:)
- Unusual outbound connections from web server
SIEM Query:
source="web_server.log" AND ("O:" OR "C:" OR "s:") AND (POST OR PUT)