CVE-2024-56283: Locatoraid Store Locator Deserialization

CVE-2024-56283 Overview

CVE-2024-56283 is a PHP Object Injection vulnerability in the Locatoraid Store Locator plugin for WordPress, developed by plainware. The flaw stems from deserialization of untrusted data ([CWE-502]) and affects all plugin versions up to and including 3.9.50. Attackers can submit crafted serialized payloads to trigger object instantiation within the plugin's execution context. When combined with suitable gadget chains present in WordPress core, other plugins, or themes, this can lead to remote code execution, arbitrary file operations, or sensitive data disclosure.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the WordPress site, potentially leading to full server takeover when a usable gadget chain exists.

Affected Products

plainware Locatoraid Store Locator plugin for WordPress
All versions from initial release through 3.9.50
WordPress sites running the vulnerable plugin in any configuration

Discovery Timeline

2025-01-07 - CVE CVE-2024-56283 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-56283

Vulnerability Analysis

The Locatoraid Store Locator plugin passes attacker-controlled input to a PHP deserialization routine without validating or restricting the resulting object types. PHP's unserialize() function reconstructs arbitrary objects from a serialized string, invoking magic methods such as __wakeup(), __destruct(), and __toString() during the process.

When these magic methods exist on classes loaded in the WordPress runtime, an attacker can chain them into a PHP Object Injection (POI) gadget. The result depends on the available gadgets, ranging from arbitrary file deletion to remote code execution. The vulnerability requires no authentication, though exploitation complexity is elevated because it depends on the presence of usable gadget chains in the target environment.

Root Cause

The root cause is unsafe handling of serialized input within the plugin code. User-supplied data reaches a deserialization sink without being validated against an allowlist of expected types or replaced with a safer format such as JSON. Versions through 3.9.50 lack constraints on the classes that can be instantiated.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without authentication. An attacker delivers a crafted serialized PHP object through a request parameter consumed by the plugin. The deserialization path triggers automatically when the plugin processes the input. The vulnerable code path interacts with classes available in the WordPress ecosystem, where common gadget chains in components such as Monolog, Guzzle, or third-party plugins can convert object injection into code execution. See the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-56283

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests containing serialized PHP markers such as O:, a:, or s: directed at Locatoraid endpoints under /wp-content/plugins/locatoraid/ or admin-ajax actions registered by the plugin
Unexpected PHP error log entries referencing unserialize(), __wakeup, or __destruct during requests to the plugin
New or modified PHP files in wp-content/uploads/ or theme directories following plugin requests
Outbound network connections from the web server to unfamiliar hosts shortly after requests targeting the plugin

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server access logs for POST and GET parameters containing the substring O: followed by an integer and a class name, a common signature of serialized PHP objects
Deploy web application firewall (WAF) signatures that block serialized PHP payloads on requests reaching plugin endpoints
Monitor WordPress audit logs for unexpected administrative actions, new users, or plugin and theme installations

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward web server, PHP-FPM, and WordPress logs into a centralized analytics platform for correlation across the request lifecycle
Track process lineage on the web server to identify PHP processes spawning shells, curl, wget, or compiler binaries
Baseline file integrity on WordPress core, plugin, and upload directories and alert on deviations

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-56283

Immediate Actions Required

Update the Locatoraid Store Locator plugin to a version later than 3.9.50 as soon as the vendor publishes a fixed release
If no patched version is available, deactivate and remove the plugin until a fix ships
Audit the WordPress installation for indicators of compromise, including unknown administrator accounts and modified PHP files
Rotate WordPress secrets in wp-config.php, database credentials, and any API keys stored on the host

Patch Information

At the time of NVD publication, the advisory lists all versions through 3.9.50 as vulnerable. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the latest fixed version information and apply the vendor update through the WordPress plugin manager once available.

Workarounds

Restrict access to WordPress admin and AJAX endpoints by IP allowlist where operationally feasible
Deploy WAF rules that drop requests containing serialized PHP object markers in user-supplied parameters
Run the WordPress process under a least-privileged account with read-only access to plugin and core directories
Disable the plugin's public-facing functionality through hosting controls until a patched version is installed

bash

# Configuration example: temporarily disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate locatoraid
wp plugin delete locatoraid

# Verify removal
wp plugin list --status=active | grep -i locatoraid