CVE-2024-49699 Overview
CVE-2024-49699 is a PHP Object Injection vulnerability affecting the ARPrice WordPress plugin developed by reputeinfosystems. The flaw stems from insecure deserialization of untrusted data [CWE-502] and impacts all plugin versions up to and including 4.1.3. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can inject crafted serialized objects that trigger PHP magic methods during deserialization. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution, data tampering, or full compromise of the WordPress site depending on which PHP gadget chains are present in the application.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can inject arbitrary PHP objects to achieve code execution or full site compromise on WordPress instances running vulnerable ARPrice versions.
Affected Products
- reputeinfosystems ARPrice plugin for WordPress
- All ARPrice versions from initial release through 4.1.3
- WordPress installations with the ARPrice plugin enabled
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-01-21 - CVE-2024-49699 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-49699
Vulnerability Analysis
The ARPrice plugin passes attacker-controlled input into a PHP deserialization routine without validating or sanitizing the serialized payload. When the plugin calls unserialize() on this input, PHP reconstructs objects declared in the serialized string and invokes magic methods such as __wakeup(), __destruct(), or __toString() on those objects. An attacker who can supply a crafted payload can chain existing classes loaded by WordPress core, other plugins, or the ARPrice plugin itself to build a POP (Property-Oriented Programming) gadget chain.
A valid gadget chain can perform file writes, arbitrary function calls, or database modifications. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network by any user with at least low privileges on the WordPress instance, and no user interaction is required after authentication. This class of flaw is a common root cause of full site takeover in WordPress plugin ecosystems.
Root Cause
The root cause is unsafe use of PHP unserialize() on untrusted input, mapped to [CWE-502] Deserialization of Untrusted Data. The plugin trusts data coming from a user-controlled channel and passes it to the deserializer without integrity verification, allow-listing of classes, or migration to a safe format such as JSON.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network against a WordPress installation that has ARPrice 4.1.3 or earlier active. The attacker authenticates with any account that can reach the vulnerable code path, then sends a request containing a serialized PHP object payload. When the plugin deserializes the payload, the injected object graph triggers gadget chains that lead to code execution or data manipulation. See the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49699
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP request bodies or parameters containing serialized PHP patterns such as O:, a:, or s: targeting ARPrice endpoints under /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php or plugin routes.
- Unexpected PHP files, scheduled tasks, or admin users created shortly after requests to ARPrice endpoints.
- Modifications to wp-config.php, theme files, or plugin directories from the www-data or PHP-FPM process context.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server and WordPress access logs for POST requests to ARPrice actions that contain URL-encoded serialized object markers.
- Alert on WordPress error logs referencing unserialize() warnings, unknown class instantiations, or magic method invocations tied to the ARPrice plugin.
- Correlate authenticated low-privilege sessions with sudden file system writes or outbound network connections from the PHP worker process.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable file integrity monitoring on the WordPress installation directory, especially wp-content/plugins/ and wp-content/uploads/.
- Forward WordPress, PHP-FPM, and web server logs to a centralized platform for correlation across authentication and file activity.
- Track new admin account creation and privilege escalation events on WordPress installations running ARPrice.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49699
Immediate Actions Required
- Update ARPrice to a version later than 4.1.3 as soon as a fixed release is available from reputeinfosystems.
- Audit WordPress user accounts and revoke unnecessary low-privilege access that could be leveraged to reach the vulnerable code path.
- Review web server and application logs for prior exploitation attempts against ARPrice endpoints.
Patch Information
reputeinfosystems has been notified through the Patchstack coordinated disclosure program. Administrators should consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report and the plugin vendor's changelog for the latest fixed version and upgrade instructions.
Workarounds
- Deactivate and remove the ARPrice plugin until a patched version is installed if the plugin is not business-critical.
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule that blocks requests containing serialized PHP object markers targeting ARPrice endpoints.
- Restrict access to WordPress admin and AJAX endpoints with IP allow-listing or authentication proxies where feasible.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
