CVE-2025-2105: Jupiter X Core PHP Object Injection Flaw

CVE-2025-2105 Overview

The Jupiter X Core plugin for WordPress contains a PHP Object Injection vulnerability in all versions up to and including 4.8.11. The vulnerability exists due to unsafe deserialization of untrusted input from the file parameter within the raven_download_file function. Attackers can exploit this flaw by injecting a malicious PHP Object through a PHAR (PHP Archive) file, potentially leading to severe consequences depending on the presence of exploitable POP (Property Oriented Programming) chains in the WordPress installation.

Critical Impact

This PHP Object Injection vulnerability can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers when specific conditions are met, potentially allowing arbitrary file deletion, sensitive data retrieval, or remote code execution if a compatible POP chain exists in installed plugins or themes.

Affected Products

• Artbees Jupiter X Core plugin versions up to and including 4.8.11
• WordPress installations running vulnerable Jupiter X Core versions
• Sites with file upload capabilities and forms using file download actions

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-04-26 - CVE CVE-2025-2105 published to NVD
• 2025-05-06 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-2105

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability represents a classic insecure deserialization issue (CWE-502) within the Jupiter X Core WordPress plugin. The raven_download_file function processes user-supplied input from the file parameter without proper validation or sanitization before deserializing it. This design flaw allows attackers to craft malicious PHAR files containing serialized PHP objects that, when processed, can trigger arbitrary code execution paths.

The vulnerability's exploitability depends on the attack surface available on the target WordPress installation. When a form with file download action capability exists alongside file upload functionality, unauthenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability. In scenarios where these conditions are not met, the vulnerability remains exploitable by authenticated users with Contributor-level privileges or higher, as they possess the ability to create the necessary forms for exploitation.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of user-controlled input during the deserialization process. The raven_download_file function within the Raven extension utilities accepts a file parameter that can reference PHAR archives. PHP's stream wrapper for PHAR files (phar://) automatically deserializes metadata when accessing the archive, creating an attack vector for object injection.

The absence of input validation allows attackers to supply paths pointing to malicious PHAR files, triggering the deserialization of crafted objects. While no known POP chain exists within the Jupiter X Core plugin itself, the prevalence of third-party plugins and themes in WordPress ecosystems significantly increases the likelihood of exploitable gadget chains being present.

Attack Vector

The attack leverages the network-accessible nature of WordPress installations and the plugin's file handling functionality. An attacker first uploads a specially crafted PHAR file containing a malicious serialized PHP object to the target server. This can be accomplished through any available file upload mechanism on the site.

Subsequently, the attacker triggers the raven_download_file function with a file parameter pointing to the uploaded PHAR archive using the phar:// stream wrapper. When PHP processes this request, it deserializes the metadata within the PHAR file, instantiating the injected object and executing any magic methods (__wakeup(), __destruct(), etc.) that form part of an available POP chain.

The exploitation mechanism requires the presence of a compatible POP chain in another installed plugin or theme to achieve meaningful impact. However, given the extensive WordPress plugin ecosystem, this prerequisite is frequently satisfied in real-world deployments.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-2105

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual PHAR file uploads in WordPress media directories or temporary folders
• HTTP requests containing phar:// wrapper references in form parameters
• Unexpected file deletions or modifications correlating with form submission activity
• Suspicious activity in web server access logs targeting Jupiter X Core plugin endpoints

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web application firewall logs for requests containing PHAR stream wrapper patterns (phar://)
• Implement file integrity monitoring on critical WordPress files and directories
• Review PHP error logs for deserialization-related exceptions or warnings
• Deploy WordPress-specific security plugins capable of detecting object injection attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive logging for the Jupiter X Core plugin's file handling functions
• Configure alerts for file uploads with .phar extensions or PHAR magic bytes
• Monitor for abnormal process execution spawned from PHP/web server processes
• Track changes to user permissions and new file creations in plugin directories

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-2105

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Jupiter X Core plugin to the latest patched version immediately
• Audit installed plugins and themes for known POP chain vulnerabilities
• Restrict file upload capabilities to trusted authenticated users only
• Implement web application firewall rules to block PHAR stream wrapper abuse

Patch Information

Artbees has released a security patch addressing this vulnerability. The fix can be reviewed in the WordPress Plugin Revision Log. Administrators should update the Jupiter X Core plugin through the WordPress plugin manager to the latest available version that includes this security fix.

For additional vulnerability details and threat intelligence, refer to the Wordfence Vulnerability Report.

Workarounds

• Disable file download functionality in forms if not critically required for business operations
• Remove or deactivate the Jupiter X Core plugin until patching is possible
• Implement server-side restrictions blocking PHAR stream wrapper access in PHP configuration
• Deploy temporary WAF rules filtering requests with phar:// patterns in user-supplied parameters

# PHP configuration to disable PHAR stream wrapper (php.ini)
# Add this directive to restrict phar:// access
phar.readonly = On

# Apache .htaccess rule to block phar:// in query strings
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} phar:// [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]