CVE-2024-9314 Overview
CVE-2024-9314 is a PHP Object Injection vulnerability in the Rank Math SEO – AI SEO Tools to Dominate SEO Rankings plugin for WordPress. The flaw exists in all versions up to and including 1.0.228 through unsafe deserialization of untrusted input in the set_redirections function. Authenticated attackers with Administrator-level access or higher can inject arbitrary PHP objects into the application. The vulnerable software contains no known Property-Oriented Programming (POP) chain, but a POP chain from another installed plugin or theme can be leveraged to escalate impact. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-502] Deserialization of Untrusted Data.
Critical Impact
When paired with a POP chain from another installed plugin or theme, exploitation can lead to arbitrary file deletion, sensitive data retrieval, or remote code execution on the WordPress host.
Affected Products
- Rank Math SEO – AI SEO Tools to Dominate SEO Rankings plugin for WordPress
- All versions up to and including 1.0.228
- Free WordPress plugin distribution channel (cpe:2.3:a:rankmath:seo:*:*:*:*:free:wordpress:*:*)
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-10-05 - CVE-2024-9314 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-9314
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the plugin's import/export functionality within class-import-export.php. The set_redirections function passes attacker-controlled input to PHP's unserialize() without validating the object structure or restricting allowed classes. An authenticated administrator can craft a serialized payload that instantiates arbitrary PHP objects during deserialization. When one of those objects invokes a magic method such as __wakeup, __destruct, or __toString, the object becomes a gadget that executes attacker-defined logic.
Rank Math itself does not ship a POP chain that yields immediate code execution. However, WordPress installations routinely load dozens of plugins and themes that expose usable gadgets. Any class autoloaded into the request lifecycle becomes a candidate, giving attackers a wide gadget surface across typical production sites.
Root Cause
The root cause is direct invocation of unserialize() on user-supplied data that reaches the set_redirections handler. See lines 507 and 514 of the plugin source in the WordPress Rank Math Code Reference. The handler lacked allowed-classes filtering and did not use a safe format such as JSON for the redirection import payload.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires an authenticated session with Administrator privileges. The attacker submits a crafted serialized string through the redirection import feature. During deserialization, PHP instantiates the specified classes and triggers their magic methods. Chained gadgets from other installed components can then perform file operations, read arbitrary files, or execute code under the web server user. Additional analysis is available in the Wordfence Vulnerability Analysis.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-9314
Indicators of Compromise
- Requests to the Rank Math redirection import endpoint containing serialized PHP payloads beginning with O: (object), a: (array), or s: (string) markers.
- Unexpected file creation, modification, or deletion in the WordPress document root shortly after an administrator import action.
- New administrator accounts, altered wp_options entries, or modified .htaccess files following redirection imports.
- PHP error log entries referencing __wakeup, __destruct, or class not found errors originating from class-import-export.php.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for POST requests to admin-ajax or Rank Math import handlers carrying serialized object signatures.
- Deploy web application firewall rules that block serialized PHP patterns in administrator request bodies.
- Enforce file integrity monitoring on plugin, theme, and core WordPress directories to identify post-exploit tampering.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Audit the list of users holding Administrator or higher roles and monitor changes in real time.
- Alert on outbound network connections initiated by the PHP-FPM or web server process outside expected update endpoints.
- Correlate WordPress audit logs with process telemetry to identify PHP execution spawning shell interpreters or writing new PHP files.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-9314
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade the Rank Math SEO plugin to a version later than 1.0.228 on every WordPress instance.
- Restrict administrator access to trusted personnel and enforce multi-factor authentication on all privileged accounts.
- Review recently imported redirection configurations and revert any unexpected changes.
- Rotate WordPress administrator credentials, API keys, and database secrets if compromise is suspected.
Patch Information
The vendor addressed the vulnerability by replacing the unsafe deserialization path in class-import-export.php. Patch details are available in WordPress Changeset #3161896. Site operators should confirm the installed version reflects the fixed release and clear any cached plugin files after updating.
Workarounds
- Temporarily disable the Rank Math SEO plugin until the patched version is deployed.
- Remove or restrict access to the redirection import feature through role management or a WAF rule.
- Audit installed plugins and themes to reduce the pool of classes available as POP gadgets.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
