CVE-2024-56068: WP SuperBackup Deserialization Vulnerability

CVE-2024-56068 Overview

CVE-2024-56068 is a Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability [CWE-502] in the azzaroco WP SuperBackup plugin (indeed-wp-superbackup) for WordPress. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 2.3.3. An authenticated attacker with subscriber-level privileges can trigger PHP Object Injection by supplying crafted serialized data, which the plugin deserializes without validation. Successful exploitation can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected WordPress site.

Critical Impact
A low-privileged attacker can inject PHP objects that, when combined with a suitable gadget chain, may lead to arbitrary code execution, data tampering, or full site takeover.

Affected Products

azzaroco WP SuperBackup (indeed-wp-superbackup) WordPress plugin
All versions from n/a through 2.3.3
WordPress sites running the vulnerable plugin with subscriber accounts enabled

Discovery Timeline

2024-12-31 - CVE-2024-56068 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-56068

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from unsafe PHP object deserialization within the WP SuperBackup plugin. The plugin passes attacker-controlled input to a PHP deserialization routine without validating type or origin. When PHP reconstructs the object, magic methods such as __wakeup() or __destruct() execute automatically. Combined with gadget chains present in WordPress core, other plugins, or themes, this behavior can escalate into arbitrary code execution, file operations, or SQL manipulation. Attackers require only subscriber-level authentication, which is trivially obtainable on sites that allow open registration.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper handling of serialized input, categorized under [CWE-502] Deserialization of Untrusted Data. The plugin invokes PHP's unserialize() (or equivalent) on user-supplied data without input sanitization, allowlisting of classes, or use of safer alternatives such as json_decode(). This allows attackers to craft payloads that instantiate arbitrary PHP objects within the application context.

Attack Vector

Exploitation occurs over the network against an authenticated endpoint exposed by the plugin. The attacker authenticates as a subscriber, then submits a request containing a serialized PHP object payload to a vulnerable plugin action. The Patchstack advisory classifies this as a subscriber-level PHP Object Injection vulnerability. Refer to the Patchstack WP SuperBackup Vulnerability advisory for technical details on the affected code paths.

No public proof-of-concept exploit code is available for this vulnerability at the time of writing.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-56068

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP POST requests to WP SuperBackup plugin endpoints containing serialized PHP payloads matching patterns such as O: (object), a: (array), or s: (string) markers
Unexpected PHP errors in web server logs referencing unserialize() or class instantiation failures within wp-content/plugins/indeed-wp-superbackup/
Creation of new administrator accounts, unexpected file writes, or unauthorized plugin/theme changes following subscriber logins

Detection Strategies

Inspect web application firewall (WAF) and access logs for serialized object markers submitted to plugin request handlers by low-privileged users
Monitor WordPress audit logs for anomalous activity originating from subscriber accounts, including option changes and file modifications
Correlate subscriber authentication events with subsequent privileged actions to identify potential post-exploitation behavior

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable verbose logging on the WordPress installation and forward logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation
Track integrity of wp-content/, wp-config.php, and plugin directories using file integrity monitoring
Alert on outbound network connections initiated by the PHP process to untrusted destinations, which may indicate gadget-chain-triggered callbacks

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-56068

Immediate Actions Required

Identify all WordPress instances running the indeed-wp-superbackup plugin and prioritize remediation for internet-facing sites
Disable the WP SuperBackup plugin until a patched version is available and deployed
Restrict new user registration or require administrator approval to reduce the attack surface for subscriber-level exploits
Rotate WordPress secret keys in wp-config.php and force password resets if compromise is suspected

Patch Information

At the time of NVD publication, all versions of WP SuperBackup up to and including 2.3.3 are affected. Consult the Patchstack WP SuperBackup Vulnerability advisory for the latest fixed-version guidance from the vendor and Patchstack.

Workarounds

Deploy WAF rules that block requests containing PHP serialized object markers (for example, regular expressions matching O:\d+:") targeting plugin endpoints
Temporarily deactivate and remove the plugin from vulnerable sites until a verified patch is applied
Enforce least privilege by auditing subscriber accounts and removing inactive or suspicious users

bash

# Configuration example: disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate indeed-wp-superbackup --all
wp plugin delete indeed-wp-superbackup